tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13503888065817426442024-03-13T09:53:50.117-07:00and now there are threedaily life with two girlskatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.comBlogger506125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-78728542489602227602011-10-08T21:41:00.001-07:002011-10-08T21:41:56.770-07:00Pumpkin PostI completed the pumpkin post a few weeks ago and it was <a href="http://www.frugallivingnw.com/frugal-homemaking/for-the-love-of-pumpkin-26-pumpkin-recipes/">posted </a>last week while we were vacationing in Mexico! Check out the fun recipes. I can't wait to try them all!<br />
<br />
I'll post some pics of Mexico soon - I hope ;)katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-36081928590604391022011-09-19T21:38:00.000-07:002011-09-19T21:38:19.508-07:00Sam's Birthday, Eloise's Birthday and the first day of school all wrapped into one big post!Okay, so I have a break this evening, I'll play catch up.<br />
<br />
First, Sam's birthday. He's turned 2! I cannot believe he's 2 but at the Sam time I love it and I'm so glad we're finally here. Not a big newborn baby fan but I LOVE this stage. I feel like I'm starting to even out and our family is hitting our stride. It's fantastic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tk5kp-tjVgo5Zdczi66nxdFekyU0HlK33VWnvXCZ1fu2iFok0OmhIsGo_6QotCnPa2vQ7ZdFPEl3uDWItY04MBPRA5X8FDZ8alOxVllAtCbODxyOf7XqBvbgWhjrDcmxtS9l6ZUrLg4/s1600/_MG_0933.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tk5kp-tjVgo5Zdczi66nxdFekyU0HlK33VWnvXCZ1fu2iFok0OmhIsGo_6QotCnPa2vQ7ZdFPEl3uDWItY04MBPRA5X8FDZ8alOxVllAtCbODxyOf7XqBvbgWhjrDcmxtS9l6ZUrLg4/s400/_MG_0933.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztplxBfb_urXupJWWWgjkfQGtsD0uYperNkECPeoonehKSU8eJ26cPHbi-AExzmguPzGdctlzcvKNpjoVkEVetnTagZhpJOY_Wv2EsJzjB8e5uf-Kczy1H0SG5Lc127qTfyk9ymBBrzY/s1600/_MG_0931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiztplxBfb_urXupJWWWgjkfQGtsD0uYperNkECPeoonehKSU8eJ26cPHbi-AExzmguPzGdctlzcvKNpjoVkEVetnTagZhpJOY_Wv2EsJzjB8e5uf-Kczy1H0SG5Lc127qTfyk9ymBBrzY/s400/_MG_0931.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCsNRITlXH9_sdyCgmOAJyXtlO2BaGD3wjg5iOy8f2kg-EseisPrwiXRjd4jI29BVwHGN6ozGPI-rPQlvJ8RHPlLA7XbQHVkhXeT0vnKlzOJ0hSJl_XaeuDHyUr5YETLeJgzsicaKfEo/s1600/_MG_0929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCsNRITlXH9_sdyCgmOAJyXtlO2BaGD3wjg5iOy8f2kg-EseisPrwiXRjd4jI29BVwHGN6ozGPI-rPQlvJ8RHPlLA7XbQHVkhXeT0vnKlzOJ0hSJl_XaeuDHyUr5YETLeJgzsicaKfEo/s400/_MG_0929.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURDkIovjucyWrc5yyRYCLXw9Q8pW4x1722Q7C6Jgo7Gj07WGKKu8J8eJAutqE214K20dSZ3Fn-BELqlBmqLkenaHBTW1yh14Wh6j0MaPPCAPwum7XNgJ5aBVWzEXe0jD8k-KOWskvTwY/s1600/_MG_0954.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiURDkIovjucyWrc5yyRYCLXw9Q8pW4x1722Q7C6Jgo7Gj07WGKKu8J8eJAutqE214K20dSZ3Fn-BELqlBmqLkenaHBTW1yh14Wh6j0MaPPCAPwum7XNgJ5aBVWzEXe0jD8k-KOWskvTwY/s400/_MG_0954.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzuSudrSOjrPGa3yWEVFhtxmyeZlN4Frr8YnCy856R3UeccZQWzlJvlFEcmvd31nr0raYw3OgDoo9rQkXEV59WnnFhmnp4S9_OYEG0vg17pQBbzonnNIM2xc7mwSRkHZqGPQhClyLZqI/s1600/IMG_0861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzuSudrSOjrPGa3yWEVFhtxmyeZlN4Frr8YnCy856R3UeccZQWzlJvlFEcmvd31nr0raYw3OgDoo9rQkXEV59WnnFhmnp4S9_OYEG0vg17pQBbzonnNIM2xc7mwSRkHZqGPQhClyLZqI/s400/IMG_0861.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(Love him. He's playing with My Little Pony car. </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I might have that face too if I was a boy in an all girl house all day.) </i></div><br />
We had a small family party with a Thomas the Train cake. Then we opened gifts. That's about it and we loved it.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW7vQqlg0mGQX4sfPJNLgigJyypZvyKHKsiii3Zqij-8NsdHTP3HGtMXe9IFqQ-TnCo_tHjbhK5DQ9ah4TLvNhDS0oXGSz_m0aoDN1eUNDvGj5Tk0VHc37mvBzJ572bsBVXHuzxHpY5w/s1600/IMG_0951.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHW7vQqlg0mGQX4sfPJNLgigJyypZvyKHKsiii3Zqij-8NsdHTP3HGtMXe9IFqQ-TnCo_tHjbhK5DQ9ah4TLvNhDS0oXGSz_m0aoDN1eUNDvGj5Tk0VHc37mvBzJ572bsBVXHuzxHpY5w/s400/IMG_0951.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
Second, Eloise turned 6! She is 6! Holy cow! I kept thinking of the day she was born and how excited we were to find out if she was a boy or girl. I can still remember the entire room bursting song (practically) "it's a girl". Our long legged baby was born. And her legs have stayed just the same. She wanted a Rio birthday party. If you haven't seen the movie it's a cute little flick about birds in Rio. She loves to dance and they have some pretty great dance music. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQs0z47FsxZiuUsHNckl5iQqpXBWCljcebzPdiAo5DkYpd9K_4E4G5xBjj5vAItgGGb_mIQXvQGiQwE55gjPvONjI6TKwn7_9DdwjT-Otg5iMNQa2FeN5O9W3C2_bStvUY65oF2FtQU/s1600/IMG_1014.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbQs0z47FsxZiuUsHNckl5iQqpXBWCljcebzPdiAo5DkYpd9K_4E4G5xBjj5vAItgGGb_mIQXvQGiQwE55gjPvONjI6TKwn7_9DdwjT-Otg5iMNQa2FeN5O9W3C2_bStvUY65oF2FtQU/s400/IMG_1014.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdEV_gXm2trKHvHZCJTo8nFjXgyW9LGjYjI4K0bOtKOOZroLN3YKo83Nvul6rzny4gjJ6SINTkVRf6vqVAfQWa3R4SuqQOjHjuIUSVGlOByzpgSmJtkOnFVL_F8DI3dGQ0lskwT1KYrE/s1600/IMG_0997.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOdEV_gXm2trKHvHZCJTo8nFjXgyW9LGjYjI4K0bOtKOOZroLN3YKo83Nvul6rzny4gjJ6SINTkVRf6vqVAfQWa3R4SuqQOjHjuIUSVGlOByzpgSmJtkOnFVL_F8DI3dGQ0lskwT1KYrE/s400/IMG_0997.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUfHfxtdu9qBIZC2ibSHW6KO_GdcScMfL4re4jcRwGrDQkHtXdi5C3XdfYYoEIxX6U1XxHAyd3ttMNAJpRv44ihxeTo_f6uj4YeV1Djzr05aFld9gHJwS-ZVkX1EmtmfIJIW9t9H0UNk/s1600/IMG_1001.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsUfHfxtdu9qBIZC2ibSHW6KO_GdcScMfL4re4jcRwGrDQkHtXdi5C3XdfYYoEIxX6U1XxHAyd3ttMNAJpRv44ihxeTo_f6uj4YeV1Djzr05aFld9gHJwS-ZVkX1EmtmfIJIW9t9H0UNk/s400/IMG_1001.JPG" width="265" /></a> <br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxz6Z1ig6XWwx1-Z95hll4Lpl42TOY19uSm695oMOWJ8TTfFCdeoMWKDRs-Rds_UbzLYXdX3L0HU-DbGaeo3Q3anK15YuE7MPsHTWdfFMOhD_4jE5raT0iWTipa-YUpMz5y0yNtBrGXI/s1600/IMG_1016.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNxz6Z1ig6XWwx1-Z95hll4Lpl42TOY19uSm695oMOWJ8TTfFCdeoMWKDRs-Rds_UbzLYXdX3L0HU-DbGaeo3Q3anK15YuE7MPsHTWdfFMOhD_4jE5raT0iWTipa-YUpMz5y0yNtBrGXI/s400/IMG_1016.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJsCpTDudOe1SELFphELR2hoBKh119yc7Go3kTbIBGCU45G8t-WzlnwGJdyNnBof7kM76yUYXY8y1hdA9aheWrWm4CXYxsb4ipY1VrKC-WPeY7EP2eqx3S-73mAPF8l9uRyi-y-bY03k/s1600/IMG_1017.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglJsCpTDudOe1SELFphELR2hoBKh119yc7Go3kTbIBGCU45G8t-WzlnwGJdyNnBof7kM76yUYXY8y1hdA9aheWrWm4CXYxsb4ipY1VrKC-WPeY7EP2eqx3S-73mAPF8l9uRyi-y-bY03k/s400/IMG_1017.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
We got her a cake with hibiscus flowers and a blue makaw (Jewel - from the movie). She wanted beans, rice and chicken strips. Juice with floating coconut ice (popsicles). Then we did coconut bowling. We prefer the 2 year old bowl in his diaper - much more fun that way. We rounded off the night with a RIO movie. Perfect.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hA0U6ZiZs2NevjCamm867XLKBQFNn_eFsIkyhRA60kOwsEFKk-ZCSySScaXjmkWiN0AekU6mvH251kECSTUfc4wkVWdfSMx99123ulqlWl9vxsrus0eQXeaDGHb-gvotNNsZtdJJHoE/s1600/IMG_1022.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hA0U6ZiZs2NevjCamm867XLKBQFNn_eFsIkyhRA60kOwsEFKk-ZCSySScaXjmkWiN0AekU6mvH251kECSTUfc4wkVWdfSMx99123ulqlWl9vxsrus0eQXeaDGHb-gvotNNsZtdJJHoE/s400/IMG_1022.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPBjWt1qHM1gnbttYiJcO8fQLzA9ehijscGrPSzebWDTORsML6KqRxPOtriNVNT3F74HD8FQZQH4sEcjyOQ2zIPSs50gl58Zdl07X0jtq8MFliWtsOcFlu7W1OJUJ05Tsi8UVZnbTe8c/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPBjWt1qHM1gnbttYiJcO8fQLzA9ehijscGrPSzebWDTORsML6KqRxPOtriNVNT3F74HD8FQZQH4sEcjyOQ2zIPSs50gl58Zdl07X0jtq8MFliWtsOcFlu7W1OJUJ05Tsi8UVZnbTe8c/s400/IMG_1021.JPG" width="265" /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7-IzMrGThfK16xmgS1E01AfhLfkQUVlMSaLCD3_gvRYDehqBwCQ8V8P8kT2vzUFPbmoHqyOCSbfq0eNy5V7mEw8H-2N7D00TSouoRY08jz6v48XDr-rH75jRazJ1SPalKt5yymcnvYI/s1600/IMG_1035.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7-IzMrGThfK16xmgS1E01AfhLfkQUVlMSaLCD3_gvRYDehqBwCQ8V8P8kT2vzUFPbmoHqyOCSbfq0eNy5V7mEw8H-2N7D00TSouoRY08jz6v48XDr-rH75jRazJ1SPalKt5yymcnvYI/s400/IMG_1035.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
<br />
Now onto school. Eloise started school today. The Lord confirmed our decision the moment we walked into the room. I felt myself in my element. Eager to talk with other moms, eager to learn about the other kids and eager to see our family dive into this new adventure. I love that it's only 2.5 hours. Lily loves it too. The thought of being away from Eloise all day right now makes her a little weepy. Eloise told her she was going to be gone until dinnertime. Lily cried for 3 nights straight until she finally started to understand that she would only be gone during rest time.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbaWNHFYQsW3vqp7JUDcS4AkLmiA0rJL8JwhSj4cj-x9cj5zL-BApCOtq1tlA4hOhbCgQ6QdfjzuEiaVQlPaKXPXyJQZyKCJHtnzkFNU-VLTuQC_kC-2d8rMm2F8OWAKlwfETEhzYZOU/s1600/IMG_1046.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvbaWNHFYQsW3vqp7JUDcS4AkLmiA0rJL8JwhSj4cj-x9cj5zL-BApCOtq1tlA4hOhbCgQ6QdfjzuEiaVQlPaKXPXyJQZyKCJHtnzkFNU-VLTuQC_kC-2d8rMm2F8OWAKlwfETEhzYZOU/s400/IMG_1046.JPG" width="265" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jdiy7wpaXQGK1k4FxUOU6dMOyMCawh0FwXy42TrisCnjjLawCFzrP54YDhsMU-hSp1MxjwnKE9CAfkkr9AB4N0CC9pYJ6J_57r8pzsjIHT0_ovnUuWXg462yk5a93J7xfpbJfP2dmJ8/s1600/IMG_1049.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_jdiy7wpaXQGK1k4FxUOU6dMOyMCawh0FwXy42TrisCnjjLawCFzrP54YDhsMU-hSp1MxjwnKE9CAfkkr9AB4N0CC9pYJ6J_57r8pzsjIHT0_ovnUuWXg462yk5a93J7xfpbJfP2dmJ8/s400/IMG_1049.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
<br />
The school is just 2 blocks away so we'll walk her there. I love her teacher, her sweet little friends who sit at her table and everything about it. It's going to be a great year. We also are waiting to read <a href="http://www.challies.com/book-reviews/going-public-your-child-can-thrive-in-public-school?utm_source=feedburner">this book</a> that my friend Lindsey suggested on Facebook. His vision for public school is ours exactly and we can't wait to hear more of his encouraging thoughts.<br />
<br />
That's about it for now. I'm working on a pumpkin post for Frugal Living and I've got some other recipes to share. I'm loving pumpkin overnight oats. They are my favorite and I don't need to cook them. The kids love them but I'm a little too stingy to share. But I'll share the recipe next time.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-26984303931050307572011-08-20T14:35:00.000-07:002011-08-20T14:35:20.189-07:00Meet EloiseI promise I'm not a lame mom forgetting my oldest child. Life has been busy beyond normal and trying to carve out time on the computer that is not work, is hard to do. But today is Saturday, it's hot outside and we're laying around taking naps and resting. Perfect day to get caught up.<br />
<br />
Eloise....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNzJRdZJnES-b3Nn3Gn4POhLZG_lOkifPgo0bRRXI7gocKn46gKgQoyBWPxxnO8qaExw_OKxL6Zhkz3hdZO7Gz_hBNyVirc1qFo0hFTYA7PjtGx1nwvN1PEOH7nZ6_bZ9sPtAtKeubQ/s1600/IMG_0687.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9eNzJRdZJnES-b3Nn3Gn4POhLZG_lOkifPgo0bRRXI7gocKn46gKgQoyBWPxxnO8qaExw_OKxL6Zhkz3hdZO7Gz_hBNyVirc1qFo0hFTYA7PjtGx1nwvN1PEOH7nZ6_bZ9sPtAtKeubQ/s400/IMG_0687.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Eloise is almost 6 and taller than most 3rd graders. Since the day she was born the more common comment we receive is "wow, she's so tall". Yes, yes she is. I don't know how this will play out for her in school but we're hoping that it works to her advantage. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rM2XLYKsh5O6aSuPPRSGmb-2_s_U2kdtN-SwXPf1pQ-LdkiHtCZIUC9JbtqtCDJkxyM9BQq63bwBtAWaEoA8Mt8gSX7j4tWbMr0vX1CA8uPzIKAzc4nbPlQW6XmnkVzH5VIl3dVKYNA/s1600/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6rM2XLYKsh5O6aSuPPRSGmb-2_s_U2kdtN-SwXPf1pQ-LdkiHtCZIUC9JbtqtCDJkxyM9BQq63bwBtAWaEoA8Mt8gSX7j4tWbMr0vX1CA8uPzIKAzc4nbPlQW6XmnkVzH5VIl3dVKYNA/s400/IMG_0841.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
She is almost reading and she loves to learn. The kids is begging me all day long to do craft projects with her and work on her reading lessons. I'm constantly dodging the crafting questions but I'm eager to do the reading with her. But with the reading comes the fun to play, play, play and more play. Sand is her favorite thing to play with.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxS7TJZ1W0-wKS27poTSZTWyuLaXU9CqPNa2fUwKongHDB3iOj3WQdAkmnwmdzk9kpASkJjOZh9IKReiDucsgNBtNcJ95_jk-hwGKROCUDHvGKx5Gsar8vAPSno6eX5j8lNVJHSsk50/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiedxS7TJZ1W0-wKS27poTSZTWyuLaXU9CqPNa2fUwKongHDB3iOj3WQdAkmnwmdzk9kpASkJjOZh9IKReiDucsgNBtNcJ95_jk-hwGKROCUDHvGKx5Gsar8vAPSno6eX5j8lNVJHSsk50/s400/IMG_0731.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBi2-5_wAutLYnPrMDSiWJqMv-wDYKybek6X3uS5FZA7iqAj3FQBlEOdr-1LRi8I27ZBghDqd-uoOj5SvdcOzhGn_41640Q1amu5P8r_qvn7AaIugqg7a-H9THDjBHs4DrdLvoO8Pam6I/s1600/IMG_0802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBi2-5_wAutLYnPrMDSiWJqMv-wDYKybek6X3uS5FZA7iqAj3FQBlEOdr-1LRi8I27ZBghDqd-uoOj5SvdcOzhGn_41640Q1amu5P8r_qvn7AaIugqg7a-H9THDjBHs4DrdLvoO8Pam6I/s400/IMG_0802.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
What I love about Eloise is her heart to do good, please others and be as helpful as she possibly can. I've noticed this trend in most first-born girls. If I'm baking, she's the second (behind Sam) to help. She really wants to learn how to cut with a knife so we're looking for time to help her learn how to do it safely.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OKgY4-TpaPlwCkqnAPrCQ-2i0fMJh1tHESpMRmKX6WF5tHux-4Kgg8fuodFNMp0XSR_94-UBVrktkZo14Zpjhh0GM8rV5ff6kpLiEJD1QlAPNNl2iz0STtsqQzSTmU1vOEaj5gl4jyw/s1600/IMG_0848.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_OKgY4-TpaPlwCkqnAPrCQ-2i0fMJh1tHESpMRmKX6WF5tHux-4Kgg8fuodFNMp0XSR_94-UBVrktkZo14Zpjhh0GM8rV5ff6kpLiEJD1QlAPNNl2iz0STtsqQzSTmU1vOEaj5gl4jyw/s400/IMG_0848.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>She loves friends and can't wait to have her first sleepover at a friends house. Mom's attempts to keep the sleepover at home are not keeping that desire at bay. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7x_8tPgtQcqJX9MU6sjWAHPVURmrA5spcBDRqLfY0chZAc0A_GBSBcMEtf5hIkUsPFIHOqqPZRmtpLYY_4yiUjdQkV-RVSPQbPGI1vxCyCKd7sUvBuJae19ZKAXk-Hn44uFMJrdA_ys/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7x_8tPgtQcqJX9MU6sjWAHPVURmrA5spcBDRqLfY0chZAc0A_GBSBcMEtf5hIkUsPFIHOqqPZRmtpLYY_4yiUjdQkV-RVSPQbPGI1vxCyCKd7sUvBuJae19ZKAXk-Hn44uFMJrdA_ys/s400/IMG_0609.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
She is curious but not overly curious. If there is something to try, she takes a few steps forward and then waits a few more minutes for her sister to try. Once it's safe, she takes the plunge. A far cry from the 20 month old leaping of slides. <br />
<br />
I am reminded that with as she longs to please and make it known that she is doing things right, I want her to know that even when she does things wrong, I am pleased. I am pleased with her because she is fearfully and wonderfully made by a powerful and loving Creator who is pleased with her as well. .<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDM2qbsHXMkKzqcj-E6EZKPXYTYXYW0ydn43qeyWAOjUyRwZ9j7QFl64cIqiZCtuHGgUvQliIyCWeN8VFS54fhRvPSjXUPfHXhkzcrxB8tm9gTHK-rxUDpzO3FWG6K4-07GoCMi9ME04/s1600/IMG_0598.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvDM2qbsHXMkKzqcj-E6EZKPXYTYXYW0ydn43qeyWAOjUyRwZ9j7QFl64cIqiZCtuHGgUvQliIyCWeN8VFS54fhRvPSjXUPfHXhkzcrxB8tm9gTHK-rxUDpzO3FWG6K4-07GoCMi9ME04/s400/IMG_0598.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
I look forward to watching her grow next year in school as she can hardly count the days until she attends kindy. The friends she'll meet, the teacher she will enjoy and the lessons she'll learn. I can't wait. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWyRvyS6cpi-UxZgq2HsciOQlKl2JcS6BdlKsU6BkfaW5LEZ50BbuQ9iiyHU7tgUVO8x6ZZMj5ux1GNDJlPh1CVE0hME7UfkTIb2nnnelXDkpyg2zS3ZZ3f6hIAm0cgseM86kHgTvyGs/s1600/IMG_0654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgWyRvyS6cpi-UxZgq2HsciOQlKl2JcS6BdlKsU6BkfaW5LEZ50BbuQ9iiyHU7tgUVO8x6ZZMj5ux1GNDJlPh1CVE0hME7UfkTIb2nnnelXDkpyg2zS3ZZ3f6hIAm0cgseM86kHgTvyGs/s400/IMG_0654.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
We love our sweet Eloise Caroline.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-78386164671681058262011-06-20T22:29:00.000-07:002011-06-20T22:29:18.574-07:00Meet Lily<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEe_RqJxnBBoZNIwkKD7IN5wAhXYNlKFsgCRaZXglRORIW60hrD8c_xWmTayQkp7Zi2ZnxI_1gALVSr0jAHeXjHrNPdlyVYniffcNNonAMpL4JQEyN9JMLtLJQe1wmaUIjxHdyIduHp0/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfEe_RqJxnBBoZNIwkKD7IN5wAhXYNlKFsgCRaZXglRORIW60hrD8c_xWmTayQkp7Zi2ZnxI_1gALVSr0jAHeXjHrNPdlyVYniffcNNonAMpL4JQEyN9JMLtLJQe1wmaUIjxHdyIduHp0/s400/IMG_0332.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
I promise I haven't forgotten about my two other children. Nothing major holding me back from doing it. Just work, a garage that seems to be accumulating clutter that needs to be sold or given away and a bed filled with laundry from nights with soaked sheets. The times where it just doesn't feel like it will ever be clean enough or organized enough. But through it all there is one little girl that reminds me to have joy. Lily.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjtohBlRznZ25m52HOBKtD5_a9H-T1-_S4v4hFwom5n-sTFt4EU4gFdjbEXx9rn0lKhwQTB5b-z7z-K2vn4Y3y8yZzUS4uwb1hZSt9oAmH_0ouJ3G_Xq6saXltReGSlIDg-ntd_Cq0xY/s1600/_MG_9531.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjtohBlRznZ25m52HOBKtD5_a9H-T1-_S4v4hFwom5n-sTFt4EU4gFdjbEXx9rn0lKhwQTB5b-z7z-K2vn4Y3y8yZzUS4uwb1hZSt9oAmH_0ouJ3G_Xq6saXltReGSlIDg-ntd_Cq0xY/s400/_MG_9531.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
Oh sweet Lily. She is our fun loving, party starting, crazy hugging, sweet lovin' girl. This child came into our lives as a surprise and we knew the moment we heard of her impending arrival that she was our grace. And her middle name will always be our reminder.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmSz3D-cI0RrJi8I9EYR_mjyDRNjL5VHIR9aXIbju8SjMgp-WjGTwa_xe2HUluOykrgBMt6HTQlRm-EQxMLbCgOhZqYTvEW2UeHCxYunDGqeKnxhZeQCK0kCo9K87xI1OP6hqcVn7Uw0/s1600/_MG_9540.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmSz3D-cI0RrJi8I9EYR_mjyDRNjL5VHIR9aXIbju8SjMgp-WjGTwa_xe2HUluOykrgBMt6HTQlRm-EQxMLbCgOhZqYTvEW2UeHCxYunDGqeKnxhZeQCK0kCo9K87xI1OP6hqcVn7Uw0/s400/_MG_9540.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
Lily is 4 yrs old. She currently has no aspirations for academics. That education stuff is left to her big sister. She wants to bounce around and swing as high as her little legs can pump her.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs7O-Qzu5jAJ-DHxYjXS-MAewk1RwKpMphPn2mgr1UcUuKUyUU9psGUHge8l9oWnlNTI5zWurgw5xKwjOBrPIqSb14zWR2sBjKDWzT3Vxcssa4G-oT1d-kwQlpKwvc-CvRYwAtIRhly0/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs7O-Qzu5jAJ-DHxYjXS-MAewk1RwKpMphPn2mgr1UcUuKUyUU9psGUHge8l9oWnlNTI5zWurgw5xKwjOBrPIqSb14zWR2sBjKDWzT3Vxcssa4G-oT1d-kwQlpKwvc-CvRYwAtIRhly0/s400/IMG_0064.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh4zqykIIYqGuEJLx7VXa6VdJ_PDaZ_1dGXldM9p3h9jLis7Q-h4tfiy0V_keMX-osOdNLNxlK-UPJilPDaZWXuvVFtCAqAhWxpLHIumu1-XR0VmQBTzluSWBgldP3e5h3ZUX4zhzMz0/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><br />
She loves all fruits and veggies and has no fear of trying whatever is set in front of her. Her only strong dislike is bananas. Her favorite fruit of the moment is strawberries. She eagerly waits by the strawberry patch in the backyard to see her beloved fruit turn scarlet. She has been known to have arguments with her daddy about who can eat the strawberries in the garden. Her favorite bucket of peas has been planted and she tenderly calls them "sweet peas".<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju60JMLIDWIjIwhiIwORdhWYJPVaf2g7SFi7DfrN8Gu9nQDZK5U7_CVFmBoU_9QXRUGEK3kmrGhDJYG6TdBOMWAmL2olMCLTwXRma2sI3aS-DcWuORcDq4mikGUbJuxbvpFQCBmdz_QwY/s1600/IMG_9935.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju60JMLIDWIjIwhiIwORdhWYJPVaf2g7SFi7DfrN8Gu9nQDZK5U7_CVFmBoU_9QXRUGEK3kmrGhDJYG6TdBOMWAmL2olMCLTwXRma2sI3aS-DcWuORcDq4mikGUbJuxbvpFQCBmdz_QwY/s400/IMG_9935.JPG" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYs7O-Qzu5jAJ-DHxYjXS-MAewk1RwKpMphPn2mgr1UcUuKUyUU9psGUHge8l9oWnlNTI5zWurgw5xKwjOBrPIqSb14zWR2sBjKDWzT3Vxcssa4G-oT1d-kwQlpKwvc-CvRYwAtIRhly0/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> <br />
<br />
Lily loves to hug. She is our most affectionate child. If you're not up for cuddling she find a way to make you cuddle. It feels as though she is my baby kangaroo waiting for her mama to open up her pouch so she can climb right in.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0GSnXYlWdT2nSfdRQ8-g83L5I6z6N429Nx8LPgJ3S3SBzzf3Zj9Rv8gJWgShaqFBoR4U6e9nrxr5KdGYchtYhoxpiypdrsMG9muFSKSC__rfX1p-MtEXYlDorWAYBVJKh4vFGvDoYCY/s1600/IMG_0413.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0GSnXYlWdT2nSfdRQ8-g83L5I6z6N429Nx8LPgJ3S3SBzzf3Zj9Rv8gJWgShaqFBoR4U6e9nrxr5KdGYchtYhoxpiypdrsMG9muFSKSC__rfX1p-MtEXYlDorWAYBVJKh4vFGvDoYCY/s400/IMG_0413.JPG" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
We often call her bruiser. She's pretty rough with the rest of us. It's not uncommon to hear someone crying and know it's Lily who has been the aggressor. It's 80% unintentional. She just doesn't know her own strength. The other 20% is sheer aggression. This could be the asthma medicine talking.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh4zqykIIYqGuEJLx7VXa6VdJ_PDaZ_1dGXldM9p3h9jLis7Q-h4tfiy0V_keMX-osOdNLNxlK-UPJilPDaZWXuvVFtCAqAhWxpLHIumu1-XR0VmQBTzluSWBgldP3e5h3ZUX4zhzMz0/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuh4zqykIIYqGuEJLx7VXa6VdJ_PDaZ_1dGXldM9p3h9jLis7Q-h4tfiy0V_keMX-osOdNLNxlK-UPJilPDaZWXuvVFtCAqAhWxpLHIumu1-XR0VmQBTzluSWBgldP3e5h3ZUX4zhzMz0/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="265" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xD_SEuhUgE2KBJCSjMkG_IOvZFw0lsjCmZQ9-lhnSPc5fAwQJuUx9_cX1-2f2g0oR0xaQv1lT2pkL8Hh3oh6zy-EgdlK3RyfHTKSjXakRgiU-zg5NZa3iYakbnnhhg6jaFvWYGnFI1k/s1600/IMG_9821.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8xD_SEuhUgE2KBJCSjMkG_IOvZFw0lsjCmZQ9-lhnSPc5fAwQJuUx9_cX1-2f2g0oR0xaQv1lT2pkL8Hh3oh6zy-EgdlK3RyfHTKSjXakRgiU-zg5NZa3iYakbnnhhg6jaFvWYGnFI1k/s400/IMG_9821.JPG" width="400" /></a> <br />
She is our joy and our sharpening tool all at the same time, but we wouldn't have it any other way. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw_nzb757gRmLK8kn38p7emXUJ5RfRQptJF4GlBNuJ2F8yoa-gsS7HM1H5SsIywQaSfZH4mAgNWSTdd2_EZTl0R_SCwRCnf7_Ux1aKWVJRwVqNcUp1PaibqiQ0ngFcKilp-sLOkp8V-g/s1600/_MG_9556.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzw_nzb757gRmLK8kn38p7emXUJ5RfRQptJF4GlBNuJ2F8yoa-gsS7HM1H5SsIywQaSfZH4mAgNWSTdd2_EZTl0R_SCwRCnf7_Ux1aKWVJRwVqNcUp1PaibqiQ0ngFcKilp-sLOkp8V-g/s400/_MG_9556.JPG" width="266" /></a>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-10571140271315594322011-05-13T15:00:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:00:52.701-07:00I am Sam<!--[if !mso]> <style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--> <br />
<i>I want to try and capture each kiddo where there are in life currently. Here is the first kiddo.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Meet Sam.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">He’s 21 months old.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves playing outside, drive his cars around the house and take long walks in the park.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if !mso]> <style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNAjCcdY00sDRDWkLfDyREBpA_uTQWl-ubWR4ALDs7Na-U_-IJJsbhecyRg0UMywCcBTaXBG3rpSS8wbMaX-BXt3WQQ-rC5kD1tYLTgjWcnTtYIxANnzG14gHQq7zhHIfj-EWCPnOnwU/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNAjCcdY00sDRDWkLfDyREBpA_uTQWl-ubWR4ALDs7Na-U_-IJJsbhecyRg0UMywCcBTaXBG3rpSS8wbMaX-BXt3WQQ-rC5kD1tYLTgjWcnTtYIxANnzG14gHQq7zhHIfj-EWCPnOnwU/s400/IMG_9688.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><!--[if !mso]> <style>
v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:PunctuationKerning/> <w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/> <w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid> <w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent> <w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText> <w:Compatibility> <w:BreakWrappedTables/> <w:SnapToGridInCell/> <w:WrapTextWithPunct/> <w:UseAsianBreakRules/> <w:DontGrowAutofit/> </w:Compatibility> <w:BrowserLevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" LatentStyleCount="156"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin:0in;
mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Times New Roman";
mso-ansi-language:#0400;
mso-fareast-language:#0400;
mso-bidi-language:#0400;}
</style> <![endif]--><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"></span> </div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">He is tall, slender, and will mostly likely reach 3 ft tall by the ripe age of 2.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> He doesn’t have an experienced palate yet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He loves pumpkin oatmeal, lots of white foods, and carbs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Milk tops the list, which he demands the moment he wakes up from a long nights sleep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crackers, pb sandwiches and bananas suit him just fine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He has yet to hop on the Paleo bandwagon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBSe8phJX_kXSYCqjxV2Iz0z4TWChHxuuuOY39xHBFiImYE95hug79lx66EY6Fufd18ZR9vk6uQ7kCBX2HG4d3elLnUFKc66Z8QXZpPQsU47H5W-OnjOqnooUOTcaa6T_1j9WomJlZg4/s1600/IMG_9778.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBSe8phJX_kXSYCqjxV2Iz0z4TWChHxuuuOY39xHBFiImYE95hug79lx66EY6Fufd18ZR9vk6uQ7kCBX2HG4d3elLnUFKc66Z8QXZpPQsU47H5W-OnjOqnooUOTcaa6T_1j9WomJlZg4/s400/IMG_9778.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">He loves his big sisters, but at the moment, pals around with Eloise the best.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This might change next year when Lily and Sam have a little bit of time to themselves. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">He knows how to communicate to his sister’s well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He is often found lying in a heap on the floor when they slightly touch him or refuse to hand over the toy they are playing with.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Fq2sVNpD6yti7AVmRayKVWrMn5MbdpsVIMtXOCNhez3XDrgiFV6doO7fafAJ_u_Y2NTbtWzWWMZ-egWWCVFVG6xmllRc4t7K2ByXIMPlU6KWHdpg6SQwDdBvoVM7zmBDxveK4hbxWQ/s1600/eloise-lily.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj26Fq2sVNpD6yti7AVmRayKVWrMn5MbdpsVIMtXOCNhez3XDrgiFV6doO7fafAJ_u_Y2NTbtWzWWMZ-egWWCVFVG6xmllRc4t7K2ByXIMPlU6KWHdpg6SQwDdBvoVM7zmBDxveK4hbxWQ/s400/eloise-lily.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFjUxk84BuXbYrf6U-LCaMTkNZMaYITUFudxM1dix0hrl63VD1amIvG7KZu0SRC-6BQakW5A7ZXq9cleMNtb-xllVe0m41ALi1bbZ6wSAKNYYvqyMYXfwXi3QzLUF2GOhndSYSmFB1C-o/s1600/IMG_9704.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"> </div>He’s very fluent in the language of baby, but occasionally he branches over to proper English.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His current English words are Mama, Dada, Nana (doubles for Nana and Banana), papa or poppie (doubles for puppy and papa), kah-ker (cracker), car, bye, hi, and of course, no and mine. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhBSe8phJX_kXSYCqjxV2Iz0z4TWChHxuuuOY39xHBFiImYE95hug79lx66EY6Fufd18ZR9vk6uQ7kCBX2HG4d3elLnUFKc66Z8QXZpPQsU47H5W-OnjOqnooUOTcaa6T_1j9WomJlZg4/s1600/IMG_9778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimktxOIITPDvOAjzlLUaHps4hq4vuuIvjnq1EGUq5qrqMVKb4h8lwUwKehFim-Pkm9F0eisMAjH9dn-ShodPTWlUavLfJhe_aEc1CTrzNFaC6y6frBMrKApecSjfQnkuaP0rixKjgRaAM/s1600/IMG_9667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimktxOIITPDvOAjzlLUaHps4hq4vuuIvjnq1EGUq5qrqMVKb4h8lwUwKehFim-Pkm9F0eisMAjH9dn-ShodPTWlUavLfJhe_aEc1CTrzNFaC6y6frBMrKApecSjfQnkuaP0rixKjgRaAM/s400/IMG_9667.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"> He can climb bunk beds, book shelves and anything else that could send him falling a large distance to the floor possibly breaking an arm or leg.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWNzamd0SVgMnmoYz8bW3R84jgJhMeC_f6zXaiBQo0U_A2F8s6HWVweC7yWhfPGEPM1NEaKgg6ZQU0wNlsCIzyOwxHPcRDE6MFFvpRguu_AhLSmxAh-cwc1wFcv6whvBngz-o6DE99s/s1600/IMG_9786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4LWNzamd0SVgMnmoYz8bW3R84jgJhMeC_f6zXaiBQo0U_A2F8s6HWVweC7yWhfPGEPM1NEaKgg6ZQU0wNlsCIzyOwxHPcRDE6MFFvpRguu_AhLSmxAh-cwc1wFcv6whvBngz-o6DE99s/s400/IMG_9786.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Hair cuts are his least favorite activity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>His mom and dad have tried pinning him in their lap and that was an epic failure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The movie trick was tried the next time, which proved to be a little less of a failure. However, he still thinks his dad is the coolest guy in town.</div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>He knows his way around a kitchen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At the first sound of a utensil being pulled out of the drawer, he is sprinting to pull up his chair and begin cooking with his mama.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He’s still working on his culinary skills. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZtTJMHsvrdsTDhyphenhyphenZkhitC30UCL4_16C5JOFiEDEVQUWrVcEfEmh7CqYEfYBqRHqG_VShxLrSegmDgSI0VS_Jo7GlxCswTdiQET_mhKuNcOcOW5vjiB3WyhvuuhGB0cbO6Yrn3GZr5JE/s1600/sam+baking.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcZtTJMHsvrdsTDhyphenhyphenZkhitC30UCL4_16C5JOFiEDEVQUWrVcEfEmh7CqYEfYBqRHqG_VShxLrSegmDgSI0VS_Jo7GlxCswTdiQET_mhKuNcOcOW5vjiB3WyhvuuhGB0cbO6Yrn3GZr5JE/s400/sam+baking.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYbjShKAdzztxElziglKcfo5wfq4wf82eZe6mNwMIYRnB7wGAiINN-2-Qa58fZAxxf1jq4mCHXYFHbVlZySDdrDCu_K94TZWacXC_UC3lwXag2jNVnHeu3oXfA2Yz0czoogiBW4IO3lc/s1600/_MG_9566.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"></span></span></a><br />
<div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmXZGynuUkcPWfTjj57HjRbRg5JbsaDgksiSnbJENkNTs2UtvvFsTK-2GhF3Oc4dhtxwSLw9Rd9-1lQWIyKtJGdEx8WYMZmjyBoY7I_O1IsJf2MS-CZdSdkEVwTlDK2Hy61zohO5Dhhs/s1600/IMG_9844.JPG"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">When his mama doesn't need his help, she will gladly hand over the ipod to get his dinner finally on the table.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStrwEtv74PplHmuVs8OrF5gaHXrmOVq3-zUy34nZVd-ih8kh2rH49k_M158xW3ravilfcYcZjsIhkM-H8z7WA1FJfYhrSblIizEEQAejHv-NJY9yexE-Gh6cWVm6czOe0dz8wpICWgN0/s1600/sam+ipod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiStrwEtv74PplHmuVs8OrF5gaHXrmOVq3-zUy34nZVd-ih8kh2rH49k_M158xW3ravilfcYcZjsIhkM-H8z7WA1FJfYhrSblIizEEQAejHv-NJY9yexE-Gh6cWVm6czOe0dz8wpICWgN0/s400/sam+ipod.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div align="center" class="separator" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE8ChkM9W4T7t_fF46OZiRa0C_0bHAT-BvGnIhk_7FGHt5FpoJZHz6BxyTvtPjNx-iWPggflgsqiGKNldXGmIplxNX_xGoZsMdrYJWtu-J4o0Br08bI_s__Y2gjfaNqJfxuzObUFfEaNA/s1600/_MG_9573.JPG"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-ignore: vglayout;"><br />
</span></span></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">Sweet Sam is a blessing to the family. We enjoy watching him grow and look forward to many more years to come.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-44999449842397149802011-05-05T14:31:00.000-07:002011-05-05T14:31:55.881-07:00KindyTonight, we go to Eloise's Kindergarten round-up. It's a night where we get to meet teachers, look at the school and get an idea of what may lie ahead in the next year.<br />
<br />
Those who have gone before me know that it will be a little emotional but will pass. I can see that on the other side, but it's transition and I LOVE transition (insert sarcasm).<br />
<br />
I've talked with the Lord alot about what His plan is for schooling our children. I've explored homeschooling, looked at charters and had dreams about private (too expensive). With each option, the Lord has clearly checked off each one and we've ended up with public and our local school. <br />
<br />
Now this comes with some hesitation. First, the surface hesitations. It's not in the best neighborhood and it doesn't LOOK the best. Second, the deep hesitations. What kind of things will she come in contact with? Will people be mean to her? How will she handle confrontation or getting her feelings hurt? These deep hesitations or worries I have can happen anywhere. They can happen in the best of the best schools and 4 pretty walls surrounding her will not prevent any of that from happening. <br />
<br />
Eloise is a driven girl, she will excel anywhere she goes. I can teach her whatever she needs to be taught. It's not really about education. So then, as a family, I'm left asking - are we supposed to be in that school to love people? To serve where there are needs that need to be met? To show support to teachers, to help children who don't have a steady home life, to be a light where there needs to be light? I can't help but know deep down that THAT is why we are headed in that direction.<br />
<br />
So I look forward to Kindergarten round-up and I look back at this last year with thanks. Thanks to the Lord for helping me make the decision to not send Eloise to pre-school. I have loved the time I've had to keep all three of them at home without any commitments. I love that in a rare beautiful Spring day, they get to make mud pies and play fairy soccer until their hearts are content. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVstJroJq8flg9MQY0tiNoged3PDp6nYo7GNutCyXGzYQIiGNTtPy88tWiAf5nlsRNBTCTuyUutyP3pPNnww0bcWdkm7LyxECQ-1FZ6l1VVng5shWx7iZjmG7Zg3LcpI6b-5165JT-ZY/s1600/IMG_9587.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjVstJroJq8flg9MQY0tiNoged3PDp6nYo7GNutCyXGzYQIiGNTtPy88tWiAf5nlsRNBTCTuyUutyP3pPNnww0bcWdkm7LyxECQ-1FZ6l1VVng5shWx7iZjmG7Zg3LcpI6b-5165JT-ZY/s400/IMG_9587.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhVHiiEKpg6Q8zXrKc62Il-iRAhZlKuqvSeF0TZO1RdBNUJhfg3aqvr_xas5vhlzzbvwtmz1-Lqm3kYCK0CcMAwm3WykVHtIpwFXOHCP0jpkdrza9V7NaPOTd2CL2Qy_notud1qIhOac/s1600/IMG_9605.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifhVHiiEKpg6Q8zXrKc62Il-iRAhZlKuqvSeF0TZO1RdBNUJhfg3aqvr_xas5vhlzzbvwtmz1-Lqm3kYCK0CcMAwm3WykVHtIpwFXOHCP0jpkdrza9V7NaPOTd2CL2Qy_notud1qIhOac/s400/IMG_9605.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpnO_phi6VRmKceGByqkHt1T_sj8ReTQ93N_7uS_vp5RMEaAyyKw3wcQ7igT935IbyVERDocJPqAdWPQlBQj15s-igqKrgoE_qrsFMCMuioIuAwDh9jh7uJuQ9P8fvH8Oe6ckJy6mBm4/s1600/IMG_9609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfpnO_phi6VRmKceGByqkHt1T_sj8ReTQ93N_7uS_vp5RMEaAyyKw3wcQ7igT935IbyVERDocJPqAdWPQlBQj15s-igqKrgoE_qrsFMCMuioIuAwDh9jh7uJuQ9P8fvH8Oe6ckJy6mBm4/s400/IMG_9609.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynXQM57ihlRl7a8d09j7oGJxr7J2-rSxd3DZEtFjT5z6VpAaporz_PEKw-t8Ny_F-d-t2CKskukINevp_HIFPrIPzJ2XzQIq8RMm0xD7QMj186oqjiOMVxl5RecnmezzNZs87vNuW8xg/s1600/IMG_9629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhynXQM57ihlRl7a8d09j7oGJxr7J2-rSxd3DZEtFjT5z6VpAaporz_PEKw-t8Ny_F-d-t2CKskukINevp_HIFPrIPzJ2XzQIq8RMm0xD7QMj186oqjiOMVxl5RecnmezzNZs87vNuW8xg/s400/IMG_9629.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpsLrWPERb94ZCRIzlykyNhXbO5Qn3_ylsc4o48ClfiU3CTHepwQT_-XeqqfCfuA1ZTm6dZNoyNNGDW3AsFBUu_w4iKi3Gh1go7KhoJ8_Otj8yGiQB8Y_zWrM8qeOZU6cr-qwZOnRf8Q/s1600/IMG_9642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLpsLrWPERb94ZCRIzlykyNhXbO5Qn3_ylsc4o48ClfiU3CTHepwQT_-XeqqfCfuA1ZTm6dZNoyNNGDW3AsFBUu_w4iKi3Gh1go7KhoJ8_Otj8yGiQB8Y_zWrM8qeOZU6cr-qwZOnRf8Q/s400/IMG_9642.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqDkLWyNf8o3qlEla9E64VRL4H4dpDTvzhyaRqqNVcT2Qp3hVfkGoYEpn7K0bwRrpRU2jXHYR4vnPF8Rd5PwQx8BJOY7b_83VcFWI7Q5HAh5viu0YdGsz9l5Evz7AcbmH3_ig9oRvixQ/s1600/IMG_9613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqDkLWyNf8o3qlEla9E64VRL4H4dpDTvzhyaRqqNVcT2Qp3hVfkGoYEpn7K0bwRrpRU2jXHYR4vnPF8Rd5PwQx8BJOY7b_83VcFWI7Q5HAh5viu0YdGsz9l5Evz7AcbmH3_ig9oRvixQ/s400/IMG_9613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">And he just likes to push things around, including his sister's doll stroller. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Oh the life of a little boy with only sister's.</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-59647463820138203482011-04-24T21:21:00.000-07:002011-04-24T21:21:53.659-07:00Easter 2011<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI1XuyGQG_E7_evEfy7nvpFruYEo6SLTpFNNUyFUx_T45PQoFr8037joHSqYEdERxWlfl6jV6ozF_IYVgeuGkEwV58XNnjo2u7W1t_EhKU3W6mHaoRYH9Al8djC2ye5I3FHECkrBOcHY/s1600/family+easter.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfI1XuyGQG_E7_evEfy7nvpFruYEo6SLTpFNNUyFUx_T45PQoFr8037joHSqYEdERxWlfl6jV6ozF_IYVgeuGkEwV58XNnjo2u7W1t_EhKU3W6mHaoRYH9Al8djC2ye5I3FHECkrBOcHY/s400/family+easter.jpg" width="280" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Not the best shot, but family photos aren't perfect around here.</i></div>There have been numerous times I've wanted to update my blog with thoughts, phases, stages, ideas, etc...but after spending 3 hours on the computer working, the last thing I want to do is spend another 30 minutes uploading photos and editing pictures. But Easter rolled around, no time spent on the computer and it seems like the perfect opportunity to update.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rJ7_U6SHrU-yqnGNjQOF5cwJ3SE5jOVYcnBLrYmsDQ_jQ5p6IRKaxA21ecAXRCv5XbAw7JfK-3elympiOZLQIsDIe-0IhgjesOI13zJVDhzQU3ZdFfQhxoacdWrOAqiMPk0AIVh4er0/s1600/comforting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3rJ7_U6SHrU-yqnGNjQOF5cwJ3SE5jOVYcnBLrYmsDQ_jQ5p6IRKaxA21ecAXRCv5XbAw7JfK-3elympiOZLQIsDIe-0IhgjesOI13zJVDhzQU3ZdFfQhxoacdWrOAqiMPk0AIVh4er0/s400/comforting.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6MsjGSDBJ2GrvZAfQcIZi4-lCYSwOJwQMFUn9L2dfWHql8T-g2I3nBs9b-WsWSqRkm3rKXtyvhRSmX3ocPy-l57MIxmptejclLIPSNQmvlYCMtStt-l6h1Yjt-Z5cm2BmUXlybdtuls/s1600/IMG_9436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD6MsjGSDBJ2GrvZAfQcIZi4-lCYSwOJwQMFUn9L2dfWHql8T-g2I3nBs9b-WsWSqRkm3rKXtyvhRSmX3ocPy-l57MIxmptejclLIPSNQmvlYCMtStt-l6h1Yjt-Z5cm2BmUXlybdtuls/s400/IMG_9436.JPG" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgPZEf05JlQ6RIQkVgsouWt02px0zxlUnANMfdxhI08VcwVEKFy_76kfyph_f_Vy2M3z0K5ump5CyOc0I9Vr5Bvb6Rg4ueMNlfnPThUqU2dau5qPTIiT9_bKaSZ8PyA_PGZ406q5Zi2E/s1600/IMG_9438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgPZEf05JlQ6RIQkVgsouWt02px0zxlUnANMfdxhI08VcwVEKFy_76kfyph_f_Vy2M3z0K5ump5CyOc0I9Vr5Bvb6Rg4ueMNlfnPThUqU2dau5qPTIiT9_bKaSZ8PyA_PGZ406q5Zi2E/s400/IMG_9438.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg-8TisQsqBffVezZTYqIIMnDQnu2hzdDfQXqSW-w2Bqni6AX5qzwzhKBnzwx5nNQYpdUc1rHRMn-oyaD-wfizoTJgocIQS6MDIw7ZI6aCpjPhKqEydNvGfXseIRGPs3C5amlCQUocKM/s1600/IMG_9441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMg-8TisQsqBffVezZTYqIIMnDQnu2hzdDfQXqSW-w2Bqni6AX5qzwzhKBnzwx5nNQYpdUc1rHRMn-oyaD-wfizoTJgocIQS6MDIw7ZI6aCpjPhKqEydNvGfXseIRGPs3C5amlCQUocKM/s400/IMG_9441.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Pictures don't work out so well around here.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FzMGIYKdm1dwdbpr7Lbj3x30jFKrnarHvTuq45iUwWdQs-BlUp7UHcm11dkY4Cs2GBtZ_uHU5VNxMH1As7r18Ng9bSfnV6-PT_vgF-dU0VMXbEMlS0rFAs8fMrKqbNCvefI8TMxP7cA/s1600/_MG_9458.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>This year, I learned more about the history of Easter and how it came to be. Because of our belief in Jesus, I wanted to move away from the tradition of Easter and focus more on the the Holy week and Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. A few blogs I read gave me some <a href="http://impressyourkids.org/good-fridayeaster-food-craft/">inspiring</a> <a href="http://impressyourkids.org/resurrection-easter-ideas-for-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+impressyourkids%2FFrMX+%28ImpressYourKids%29#comment-26477">ideas</a>.<br />
<br />
First we started out each day reading what Jesus was doing leading up to the Resurrection. My mom had given them these little paper cutouts with a book and stickers. It was a good visual for little minds. On Good Friday we spent some time outside working on our <a href="http://impressyourkids.org/resurrection-easter-ideas-for-kids/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+impressyourkids%2FFrMX+%28ImpressYourKids%29#comment-26477">Tomb garden</a> and then put it together that evening. We read a story, lit the candle and then went to bed after we blew out the candle.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pF5Hr_J8ViahSLPI1tMQkyccyP53ki8fuawdkpANVLb65UosBhdPaFvK0kkxPfTBSvqZoV8LR23LPb82VolnqE_cL5bs52oRdQcIbVue5wEbxBVYyNt53Te2KhhqLASw12vr-1F0okk/s1600/IMG_9445.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2pF5Hr_J8ViahSLPI1tMQkyccyP53ki8fuawdkpANVLb65UosBhdPaFvK0kkxPfTBSvqZoV8LR23LPb82VolnqE_cL5bs52oRdQcIbVue5wEbxBVYyNt53Te2KhhqLASw12vr-1F0okk/s400/IMG_9445.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tdPSGhbyyyUvasKdjawAgGGDWDMlMi7X0Ogj2L1R3WVYgVQzArRbpbfUIhSu7X6ltFwYAKpf8J1tDX4S_bW5SX51-ezGK-htfKt3M3Mzy-q0lLw4aalfhY4VGNOTSykvxFZYtS6rX1M/s1600/_MG_9426.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tdPSGhbyyyUvasKdjawAgGGDWDMlMi7X0Ogj2L1R3WVYgVQzArRbpbfUIhSu7X6ltFwYAKpf8J1tDX4S_bW5SX51-ezGK-htfKt3M3Mzy-q0lLw4aalfhY4VGNOTSykvxFZYtS6rX1M/s400/_MG_9426.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbpUExvu48J8-pbkLekZdd17HAcBuSMJ_FhGlU5qPSsv6SECgt08HVAjZ2o0GV5XKn1t_NUJ7E_AYhZEBkxnDqtl4AvArP2un0syjIyb3lAejVz7czXYU-duAVd_LbsPWbwJtQMBd50I/s1600/IMG_9449.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIbpUExvu48J8-pbkLekZdd17HAcBuSMJ_FhGlU5qPSsv6SECgt08HVAjZ2o0GV5XKn1t_NUJ7E_AYhZEBkxnDqtl4AvArP2un0syjIyb3lAejVz7czXYU-duAVd_LbsPWbwJtQMBd50I/s400/IMG_9449.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>To keep balance, we still did Easter eggs. We just did them in the lawn in our backyard on Saturday. The kids knew no different and still had tons of fun and lots of candy (too much in fact!). Then today, Resurrection Sunday, when the kids woke up, we rolled away the rock in front of our tomb in the garden and then cut some flowers to place around it for the "new-ness" that Christ has given to us in His Resurrection. We went to church, came home and had lunch. Took naps and rested the remainder of the day. It was a beautiful, relaxing, and fresh filled day. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UwoOW4Stm6j06Xvx4MopZfuTJwRA79tzKY6Pok87NT-NKkOkd3-Qo-XTGzi3icOAvKbnybEDZohKqcsYk_2kvF12cYZY0XTBglnEERM69_3kud7jBujsf3GYpiICY3ZG1xf-CU9CnA/s1600/IMG_9453.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6UwoOW4Stm6j06Xvx4MopZfuTJwRA79tzKY6Pok87NT-NKkOkd3-Qo-XTGzi3icOAvKbnybEDZohKqcsYk_2kvF12cYZY0XTBglnEERM69_3kud7jBujsf3GYpiICY3ZG1xf-CU9CnA/s400/IMG_9453.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FzMGIYKdm1dwdbpr7Lbj3x30jFKrnarHvTuq45iUwWdQs-BlUp7UHcm11dkY4Cs2GBtZ_uHU5VNxMH1As7r18Ng9bSfnV6-PT_vgF-dU0VMXbEMlS0rFAs8fMrKqbNCvefI8TMxP7cA/s1600/_MG_9458.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1FzMGIYKdm1dwdbpr7Lbj3x30jFKrnarHvTuq45iUwWdQs-BlUp7UHcm11dkY4Cs2GBtZ_uHU5VNxMH1As7r18Ng9bSfnV6-PT_vgF-dU0VMXbEMlS0rFAs8fMrKqbNCvefI8TMxP7cA/s400/_MG_9458.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I love that she has no idea he's stealing her candy. </i></div>I think in the future, I'll do a Spring party with their friends and hide Easter eggs on that day. Something about keeping Easter separate from Resurrection Sunday has become really important to me. <br />
<br />
Because it would take more creativity than I have, here's the pictures from the weekend, all clumped together.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA0wXFXAu8ghYStgBWFYMaHyrz1WgtJlHzKMItz_ysixroD-1utEz4DaqclqTuJZDyG-n_VOpHJmCeo-UFf-UN0ImVbCN06Wi4-5NdKGWtqAPqf4axCrcoh3brh0gGFg7N1eXsnd6c0w/s1600/DSCN2376.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvA0wXFXAu8ghYStgBWFYMaHyrz1WgtJlHzKMItz_ysixroD-1utEz4DaqclqTuJZDyG-n_VOpHJmCeo-UFf-UN0ImVbCN06Wi4-5NdKGWtqAPqf4axCrcoh3brh0gGFg7N1eXsnd6c0w/s400/DSCN2376.JPG" width="400" /></a> </div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvO4mCK98xk3-XySM5HhF5eMdDjkz2dQR-fWJc7IU33Y5XRu6d3dENPMhzV6Vxz7ToA0TU0HJEyNSfxhVtwbt5buq1qYq0Z-evJ3ZRtKMfxIJRJbBqEmyVq5NjOK68O9bBOFEypef8ns/s1600/DSCN2381.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvvO4mCK98xk3-XySM5HhF5eMdDjkz2dQR-fWJc7IU33Y5XRu6d3dENPMhzV6Vxz7ToA0TU0HJEyNSfxhVtwbt5buq1qYq0Z-evJ3ZRtKMfxIJRJbBqEmyVq5NjOK68O9bBOFEypef8ns/s400/DSCN2381.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEdVy9YODeT674vvBHezCNzKfLfhKRb9ssbff9qBDJJKPg3m8pc6qPZvRx_wzh6tsL_uWC05e35FBxtb9kKZWd0frFQnAnOueRe3L0rMfTLGWiq6iRFcskWJKkqokKR1_TjmrmfxDAtw/s1600/DSCN2377.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEdVy9YODeT674vvBHezCNzKfLfhKRb9ssbff9qBDJJKPg3m8pc6qPZvRx_wzh6tsL_uWC05e35FBxtb9kKZWd0frFQnAnOueRe3L0rMfTLGWiq6iRFcskWJKkqokKR1_TjmrmfxDAtw/s400/DSCN2377.JPG" width="400" /> </a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Happy Easter and Resurrection Sunday! </div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-18895108237962096612011-03-22T20:27:00.000-07:002011-03-22T20:27:13.502-07:00Lily gets marriedLily went to her first wedding this last summer. Ever since, she's been obsessed with the ladies dressed in white. When our friends, Mary and Eric, asked her to be in their wedding, we knew she would be overjoyed.<br />
<br />
This last weekend was the wedding and Lily was the life of the party. I can't tell you how many times people came up to me and commented how wonderful, lively, loving, sweet, kind and beautiful she was. Our sweet Lily thrives in environments with lots of people. The night after the rehearsal dinner, she had so much energy flowing through her she couldn't fall asleep until 11:30! Needless to say, after the wedding she had a complete meltdown on the ride home.<br />
<br />
Nevertheless, she looked beautiful and did great. And her big sister Eloise did great and working through those emotions of jealous and helped Lily to have a wonderful time. Another great accomplishment for our 5 year old.<br />
<br />
Here's the proof of cuteness...<br />
First, the rehearsal dinner<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokzC4asAJWHfgARdCRmqzCPwUrcNhuaSWrfMLgUuh2k70faOfJx4aBFU-MAz-oO8oxtalvzcMNH7wD6rrhNZ5yHj_Ysrfa2zQ-2kYRPtnsJwQe_voyyqQaMIy9pwTQlhNFQ8y1ET8P1s/s1600/DSCN2303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjokzC4asAJWHfgARdCRmqzCPwUrcNhuaSWrfMLgUuh2k70faOfJx4aBFU-MAz-oO8oxtalvzcMNH7wD6rrhNZ5yHj_Ysrfa2zQ-2kYRPtnsJwQe_voyyqQaMIy9pwTQlhNFQ8y1ET8P1s/s400/DSCN2303.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6I_AIBKQ5S7RDAzKTddVl5bc23z-uCxeV4l9X9J05OCB0gVCguQ5-g_4fPCwVhblFEmzvbrjts4YcgmtdPKg1iWEPV49PddhL2Kf93JBI4PHkRHfDs2345GjACIWzwbnWHyr5QT8xrQ/s1600/DSCN2304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg6I_AIBKQ5S7RDAzKTddVl5bc23z-uCxeV4l9X9J05OCB0gVCguQ5-g_4fPCwVhblFEmzvbrjts4YcgmtdPKg1iWEPV49PddhL2Kf93JBI4PHkRHfDs2345GjACIWzwbnWHyr5QT8xrQ/s320/DSCN2304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Waiting for the wedding to start. A great distractions with coloring crayons. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIVr3owDvwErq__Rt6Ka0gdqhFXsxF-8ttJ_M_9edpBhbmakgmdMnigkDl7IJV0KQisq1ozDkclkGbBhQ8I615A_L_pdeIa6A2UoH86M1G8N5R1ZdrcXcddnU31cyK2dkM8P7xU-RNHU/s1600/DSCN2309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXIVr3owDvwErq__Rt6Ka0gdqhFXsxF-8ttJ_M_9edpBhbmakgmdMnigkDl7IJV0KQisq1ozDkclkGbBhQ8I615A_L_pdeIa6A2UoH86M1G8N5R1ZdrcXcddnU31cyK2dkM8P7xU-RNHU/s320/DSCN2309.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> A cute cheesy smile. She did not like the headband and wouldn't put it on until the very last minute.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPjeRY2VfAn6mRM_GfUQV8gyt1Xq8XVnlBBRVW9jqtqiCmaEE82vzDylz8YTGQlz_WmwthxmOp0b9lASolnCe8fbD1mD6jDh5NFPYVedL060LcaxKMpMMZKzxx8gllgpDZ90XPG7K7Ao/s1600/DSCN2312.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgPjeRY2VfAn6mRM_GfUQV8gyt1Xq8XVnlBBRVW9jqtqiCmaEE82vzDylz8YTGQlz_WmwthxmOp0b9lASolnCe8fbD1mD6jDh5NFPYVedL060LcaxKMpMMZKzxx8gllgpDZ90XPG7K7Ao/s400/DSCN2312.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Finally, the time arrived and she concentrated very hard on dropping her flowers just right. There were several candles lining the isles so they needed to be careful no petals landed in the flame.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwW0vt-1VXofR1VQlsLWNTKrDjar30O9I-ixj5Lk1QvqdtVkK-37a7kUK2SxRYVzp7R54eKXAUtGSzDOv2DT9vLpO7XCRcTdFggvfzhy6QYQP4EkAf2B6y9jtesInryMahO3vIRVzo4o/s1600/DSCN2317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwW0vt-1VXofR1VQlsLWNTKrDjar30O9I-ixj5Lk1QvqdtVkK-37a7kUK2SxRYVzp7R54eKXAUtGSzDOv2DT9vLpO7XCRcTdFggvfzhy6QYQP4EkAf2B6y9jtesInryMahO3vIRVzo4o/s320/DSCN2317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It was great to be a part of this fantastic wedding at our church. We love this couple dearly and love how supportive our church family has been. There were over 400 people at the wedding. People were standing in the isles. Lots of love to go around.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-47948329562343027562011-02-27T20:52:00.000-08:002011-02-27T20:52:24.095-08:00Lily turns 4!<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<br />
I've neglected this bloggy blog for a while, but there's nothing like a birthday to bring me back.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySiqE4gzuS2EaApAewBxfzNWEhRD_hzm21v0WTVem0gC4dotwI3Gcwutv0b3q4R5nlUHIQIOCPhawjshPVxf2ccXC59D7WrhxXhx4akVnshDNKGpuxo_SWFqXSeJycqGW1IRHaKlZQVQ/s1600/DSCN2267.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySiqE4gzuS2EaApAewBxfzNWEhRD_hzm21v0WTVem0gC4dotwI3Gcwutv0b3q4R5nlUHIQIOCPhawjshPVxf2ccXC59D7WrhxXhx4akVnshDNKGpuxo_SWFqXSeJycqGW1IRHaKlZQVQ/s400/DSCN2267.JPG" width="300" /></a></div> Lily turned 4 last Wednesday. Part of me can't believe the 4 years has flown by, but the other part of me feels like it's perfect timing. We've rising out of the whiny 3's and we're powering into the rationalizing/arguing 4's. All part of growing up and all part of me learning how to teach and train her in the right way she should go. <br />
<br />
Lily is the light of our family. She brings laughter, craziness, and joy to our family. She is our feeler. I can already tell that one of her gifts is mercy. When we watch Wipe-out, she gets very unhappy when we laugh at the people falling. Sometimes to the point of tears. At the end of Toy Story 3, she nearly fell apart at the possibility of the toys being burned in the incinerator. So we've learned that she has an extra sensitivity to people's pain and we make sure to help her work through those emotions.<br />
<br />
She loves to hug, kiss and cuddle constantly. It's often a point of frustration. She loves to hug and cuddle Sam and he does not want his sister smothering him. Her challenge will be learning to respect people's personal space.<br />
<br />
Eloise is her world. They fight, but they create, play, and imagine together and Lily watches what Eloise does with an curious eye. I look forward to watching their relationship change and grow.<br />
<br />
We're still following the family birthday party plan so we just had my parents down to celebrate. Lily is in love with unicorns, so we opted for a unicorn birthday cake and a few rainbow party props thrown in. My cake wasn't as fabulous as I had hoped, but she loved the rainbow inside and the princess and unicorns on top (Playmobile). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkb00uHiw64RDziC2X3VowCJzv_s0qNACNEVgsPeXNuB2oL-IInOL2GtlZt-FqBXDsVldfluqBhgbmxmw5C4UHsGycBWZwVu3-HtDnc5H86QF-Mxmo9KCZmhGcUp8lUqeebrxcw0ws2A/s1600/DSCN2264.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXkb00uHiw64RDziC2X3VowCJzv_s0qNACNEVgsPeXNuB2oL-IInOL2GtlZt-FqBXDsVldfluqBhgbmxmw5C4UHsGycBWZwVu3-HtDnc5H86QF-Mxmo9KCZmhGcUp8lUqeebrxcw0ws2A/s320/DSCN2264.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisTZlP7wZwo6IWoWaW5WUieABbpj-wxCXbtB8foeCM1qBhW9N81Vx5J-ftW0qbQu32-xBGHtF4rKOrDe8kMSjMNkObxaWWzA3PBILDgCPOdq52r6KtD-XAGAorjeweVBr4jWktHZ9SaDY/s320/DSCN2274.JPG" width="320" /> <br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQI-BNQ4GS-kARb6JkrgKPDEy4NfYz1Z0GO9Mvc95EEpitUPQVHVOBI9Axh5Gnwm3m6I61z-h97K__XVK5ZyhL6YeLY5pZV6JuuA8BeYOgQbkAMV0K-7QTEJDwDmHBquOlpFiF2m9AVBw/s320/DSCN2275.JPG" width="240" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrg3z7VT0vO-l8ZQgVaBl6PnZ020Ir1zwvgv45PaK7M3bAA-6yhHtl9RyznMtKsNRVfkie-v7aYg86Kzn5VJqsNzzewoQD-bmDgnUNie459L4TJz0pr01eCYqrXZcbZdL4PyPLVfuIXI/s320/DSCN2294.JPG" width="320" /><br />
She wanted a rainbow fruit salad, pickles and olives, mac & cheese shells and chicken strips. She also wanted orange juice. Requests granted.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaT2iA-ojlUn3ju1rTycX-cO9vMU15kiWan44j0fk0aw5_a7HceX5xw-IrAcdw1DvVHsYqlaq7-U20HmczaiObyRwIvejWcG1xAtuoiGY2gPZLpcOTujOOuftDIcBAsYrLDkDWAs5fA9c/s320/DSCN2268.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeJHUQwtcBjocnECxj1XUmo7pVMO5KpKJDzv-zA_h1Lkvg09FEJnfXj2D_B4KcYMk4vrIOA4zjV1Ihod-EE5F5r012rT5NSHEbFwVUV9xeMvCVobuJuWWJDSq0xxn8wxrey96KU1e2WA/s320/DSCN2292.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<br />
Her favorite gift was a hula hoop! She had hours of fun playing. They also got a store front that Sam loved to play in and Eloise loved to draw on. She received lots of other great gifts too.<br />
<br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCS0UGgyWsoyZZwU33VNufAgkHpc19SomC3bL4sFFn2KAC8-zuOowd56mISxrd0K5t3jRQatMpfCcnHU5ga2uDA8RG6n-dxe6NBZi8FffUHcdWdGu7nhGPWh4vc4zgqHl_rotQRMpDY3I/s320/DSCN2254.JPG" width="320" /> <img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_wd2vVf2Sj6QK0RLLH-3baYuuEljbfBeXiYVCDH-N02PRn0f8sbGJIu8rG0H7-cMejBskbzjlQGJO9plwybRwj5UhTzdF7CtiUnDoYs2KMNNB3CS0ai1ZIxh-wKBhzmWtLlHX-x8ApI/s320/DSCN2261.JPG" width="320" /><br />
<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjQpv5lTFpsgA5PZE1kufLIsgBoBHfxieppAut_CggkSHe6HwzVoETgm_skKxgWOMwTrNa72INyVGURL3IU9YRwo1oRI9433grEQ6OUiqdUqmLUSEVyrsRMdZeWd6IN-ntKC3r86qZtw/s320/DSCN2285.JPG" width="320" /><br />
It was a great day to celebrate the Lord's wonderful gift to us. We are blessed and thankful to have Lily as a part of our family. katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-74193771854476054832011-01-30T21:14:00.000-08:002011-01-30T21:14:48.348-08:00It is finished!After all members of the family getting hit by this nasty bug and throwing up a combined total over more than 55 times, I'm happy to say WE ARE FINISHED!<br />
<br />
I knew after Eloise got sick that the rest were to follow but I didn't expect it to be on the same scale. No more trips to the ER, thankfully, but Lily and Sam threw up almost as much as Eloise. Apparently, the anit-nausea medicine only worked on me, which is great, b/c we all know mamas are the ones that take care of the family.<br />
<br />
So tonight, we are breathing a sigh of relief. We had our first meal together, we went for a walk, I cleaned the house, and I left the house for the first time in 5 days. The outside air never smelled so good. I told Dave we needed to find a way to create a sign to mark an end to this blasted week. I mentioned something about the passage in the bible where they dust off their feet. Not the same reference, but I like the idea. So we've dusted our feet, sleeping soundly in beds and letting our stomachs celebrate by toasting ginger ale. It's a refreshing feeling.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-43130445266287277462011-01-28T20:12:00.000-08:002011-01-28T20:16:57.892-08:00sickness of epic proportionsOn Wednesday night, I sat with Eloise in the ER watching her throw up for the 30th time and I cried. I cried the tears of a mom who felt so helpless to stop her child's pain. I knew someone could, they just happened to be taking longer than I hoped.<br />
<br />
Eloise threw up in the sink on Wednesday night before I left to visit a friend. When i got back home she had thrown up 8 more times. And it kept going, closer and faster together. I almost couldn't believe that her body was doing this to her. I called the dr. and before they even had a chance to call me back, i was in the car on the way to the ER. By the time I had arrived she'd thrown up 21 times in just under 4 hours.<br />
<br />
And as most everyone knows, when you rush to get to the ER, you wait. and wait. and wait.....During our waiting time, she started to have other symptoms involving the lower half of her bowels. I thought to myself, "seriously, this is getting worse?" They gave her a pill to try and stop the vomiting but it just slowed it down to every 30 minutes.<br />
<br />
When we finally got to our room, I just laid with her and waited for it to arrive yet again. For 2 hours I restlessly dozed in between the heaving and then at 2:25 a.m., the last time she threw up, I cried and prayed as only a mother could. I prayed that life would return to her. I prayed for her to be bouncing off the walls, I prayed for her to cry. I thanked God that this wasn't normal life. I prayed for those families in which this was normal life. Those that were battling horrific diseases with no end in sight. I prayed for relief for all of those parents. I prayed for the family next to us that was dealing with a teenage girl who had talked of committing suicide. I knew they would quickly take the hand that was dealt to me than the one they were currently facing.<br />
<br />
Finally, a dr. came in to my swollen, tear drenched face and said they would finally be giving her an IV. She was asleep and lifeless on the bed at this point. When he asked if there was anything else he could do, my first thought was, "MOVE FASTER!"<br />
<br />
The nurses were amazing as I think all pediatric nurses are. They woke her up, got her IV in and she barely made a sound. Within 15 minutes she was sitting up, talking about the fish on the wall, and told me she was dreaming about a tall glass of water. And right at that point, I started to get sick. The nurses helped to sit with Eloise while I dealt with a sour stomach.<br />
<br />
Thanks to their compassion, they bestowed upon me some glorious anti-nausea medicine that helped to alleviate the symptoms. The problem is, the meds also made me drowsy and it was 4 a.m. I prayed again on our drive home that I would be able to make it without falling asleep. It was by far the scariest drive I have ever driven.<br />
<br />
Upon arriving home we realized that our heat was out and it was only 59 degrees in our house. I could not believe that this was happening. I laid down for 2 hours and prayed, yet again, that the heat would turn on. I prayed for mercy. I told the Lord I was done. We had some amazing friends come to our rescue. Lily had a playdate, treats and movies and coffee and flowers were dropped off. And a space heater!<br />
<br />
After long naps, Dave getting back from work, and baths, I thought about what was good about everything that had just happened in the last 12 hours. Because the only way I was going to stay out of a funk was making sure to look for the good things. So here's some good things:<br />
Eloise got the medication she needed and it worked almost immediately.<br />
Eloise is not chronically ill<br />
The nurses gave me medication to help keep me from throwing up<br />
The dr. gave our entire family a weeks worth of that same medication<br />
I made it home safely<br />
The man who fixed our heater is honest and kind<br />
Dave was able to stay home for most of the day<br />
We have a washer and dryer to clean all of our laundry<br />
She is better, slept 14 hours last night and woke up a happy 5 year old <br />
<br />
When Eloise and I sat down today, I asked her to tell me what she thought was good about the situation.<br />
She said that the "straw in her arm" (IV) was good b/c it made her feel better and it didn't hurt when they put it in<br />
She got to drink a tall glass of water<br />
That Jesus was with me in the hospital and mama too<br />
That I got new sparkly panties<br />
That God kept me safe from the loud noise that the tube made when they put the straw in my arm<br />
<br />
I am still surprised at how emotional this experience was for me. Lily and I have spent many times together in ER's and dr.'s offices with her barely breathing and I was seemingly unemotional. But with Eloise, something took over in me. The crying came on without warning and the level of sadness and helplessness I had felt so deep. Maybe it's because I've never seen her in that type of situation and I've come to accept it with Lily. Who knows? But I hope never to repeat it anytime soon. <br />
<br />
On a slightly different note, I do think that more scripture in my mind would have been helpful. I don't know if I could have recalled it given the middle of the night, overwhelming emotions I was feeling, but it did remind me of it's importance. I'd like to work on that.<br />
<br />
In the meantime, we healthy and rising up out of the sickness funk. Thanks friends for your help and prayers.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-59254477905176202792011-01-14T21:39:00.000-08:002011-01-14T21:39:50.234-08:00New phasesOur sweet little Sam is now 17 months old. That's how old Eloise was when I had Lily. Hard to believe.<br />
<br />
This morning I finished nursing. Either some of you are appalled or applauding, either way, it worked for us. He's only been nursing in the morning when he first wakes up (which is early, this kid is a morning person - 6 AM is a good day). <br />
<br />
This morning, I bypassed our regular snuggle in bed and went straight for the TV. Yes, he watches TV in the morning so I can go back to bed until 7. We'll work through any issues he has from that later, for now he has a slightly more rested mama. Anyhow, he put up a cute little whine but once we were out near the TV all whining disappeared. <br />
<br />
I thought this might be a more bittersweet moment for me but it's not. I feel ready to move into the next stage of life. I feel ready to go to Nordstrom purchase some nice, comfy bras. These girls need to move back up where they used to be. (I don't think there are any men reading my blog, besides my husband and he wants this too).<br />
<br />
I love the stage our sweet little family is in. I love the age of our children and I love the fact that they are all still home with me. And i also love that time is moving forward. I'm eager for new stages, but I'm savoring the ones we're in.<br />
<br />
So, no more baby connections. We're barreling into the toddler years!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-73606905200722528042011-01-01T22:48:00.000-08:002011-01-01T22:48:57.451-08:00Goals 2011I'm not a big goal setter. Or maybe I am, I just don't follow through.<br />
<br />
Here's what I'm thinking for this year:<br />
<br />
*workout more - I know, everyone says this one, but this past year I've discovered how great it makes me feel. I want to feel that again.<br />
<br />
*SEEK Him - I'm going to try to read scripture everyday. I don't know where I'm going to start but I want to be reading the bible daily.<br />
<br />
*Vegetables - I want to love vegetables. Do you know I LOVE brussel sprouts? I'm not kidding. I really love them. So why do I only eat them during Thanksgiving and Christmas? I don't know, but I'm going to pump up the green.<br />
<br />
*Coupon more - for the items that we use daily that can free up more money for real food - veggies!<br />
<br />
*SIT with my kids. Be kind with them, listen to them and remember there questions are not meant to annoy me, they really don't know. They are experiencing our world for the first time. I"m committing to seeing it through their eyes.<br />
<br />
That's it for today. I'm sure I'll come up with more.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-52660611773357197742010-12-31T13:30:00.000-08:002010-12-31T13:30:50.527-08:00Reflections on 20102010 always sounded like we'd be living in a space age era with hovercars. Not so much. 2010 was an interesting year for our family that provided good things.<br />
<br />
I found these questions over at <a href="http://www.incourage.me/2010/12/20-questions-for-a-new-years-eve-reflection-2.html">(In)Courage</a> that offers a great format for reflecting on the year.<br />
<br />
<h3>20 Questions for a New Year’s Eve Reflection</h3><b>1. What was the single best thing that happened this past year?</b><br />
**Dave getting a job. We started off the year unemployed and ended it in job that could have only been orchestrated by the Lord. It has been new, challenging, and sometime uncomfortable to work through the learning curve, but we believe the Lord didn't design us for comfort and teaches us great things through struggles. <br />
<b>2. What was the single most challenging thing that happened?</b><br />
**Managing 3 kids in a new schedule (Dave's hours were drastically different from before). It has been a challenge to raise 3 littles and keep my wits about me at the same time. Being diagnosed with Graves' disease. It was a challenge to work through before I knew I had it.<br />
<b>3. What was an unexpected joy this past year?</b><br />
**the job - getting a pretty clear picture of the main even of the year <br />
<b>4. What was an unexpected obstacle?</b><br />
**Working out the details and expenses of Dave's dad care and move to LA and then him unexpectedly dying the week he arrives. It was a shock. We had so many ideas about the good things that would come from this move and to have it end abruptly was not something anyone was prepared for. We grieve mostly for his sister who was more than excited about this move. <br />
<b>5. Pick three words to describe 2010.</b><br />
**Challenging, Growing, Deepening <br />
<i>(I took out two questions here) </i><br />
<b>8. What were the best books you read this year?</b><br />
<i>**The Help!</i> Hands down the BEST book. <br />
<b>9. With whom were your most valuable relationships?</b><br />
**Okay, this one is tough. I feel overly blessed and humbled by my friends. Each and every one of them adds value to my life. I mean, my list would be off the page and I'd have to describe what I love about every single one. Let's just leave it with - I love all my friends deeply and value them all uniquely. (hope that doesn't sound passive)<br />
<b>10. What was your biggest personal change from January to December of this past year?</b><br />
**Gluttony! I learned more about my eating this year than anything else. I learned what happens when I'm gluttonous and how it affects my relationship with my children and husband. I draw on it almost everyday and I continue to learn from it. <br />
<b>11. In what way(s) did you grow emotionally?</b><br />
**I figured out ways to handle my frustrating with my children better. I learned that teaching them a lesson in the moment of frustration or anger does nothing. I learned that love teaches much more and that to teach a child, dominating anger will not work, it crushes and my goal as a mama is not to crush the spirit, it's to encourage it. I want my children to know they are loved at all times, they just might not get away with what they think they should. And that can be communicated with a smile on my face. <br />
<b>12. In what way(s) did you grow spiritually?</b><br />
**It was all tied into gluttony. I need help to conquer these types of struggles and that I do alot of asking and now it needs to move onto seeking the Lord in scripture (goal for 2011) <br />
<b>13. In what way(s) did you grow physically?</b><br />
**the just makes me want to write a snide remark :) I don't know. <br />
<b>14. In what way(s) did you grow in your relationships with others?</b><br />
**I learned to think and wait before speaking. That often times emotions are added to the mix and they will make a situation work. I learned to not ask so many questions and instead ask only those that are important and not just to tickle my curiosity. <br />
<b>15. What was the most enjoyable part of your work (both professionally and at home)?</b><br />
**I'm now working for Angela at Frugal Living NW. I love being able to work from home and there are a ton of creative outlets. <br />
<b>16. What was the most challenging part of your work (both professionally and at home)?</b><br />
**Eloise, Lily, and Sam. <br />
<b>17. What was your single biggest time waster in your life this past year?</b><br />
**the computer, isn't that every moms? <br />
<b>18. What was the best way you used your time this past year?</b><br />
**just sitting with my kids and playing (I'm not very good at that) <br />
<b>19. What was biggest thing you learned this past year?</b><br />
**I think we already covered this...gluttony and trust <br />
<b>20. Create a phrase or statement that describes 2010 for you.</b><br />
**Full on the right things. Cheesy, but true.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-2035752847554711862010-12-27T13:44:00.000-08:002010-12-27T13:44:51.210-08:00Christmas activitiesOne of the best things we did this Christmas was re-enact the birth of baby Jesus. I saw the idea over at <a href="http://impressyourkids.org/a-lesson-in-josephs-love-life/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+impressyourkids%2FFrMX+%28ImpressYourKids%29">Impress Your Kids</a> and we had a little time to spare before we went out one evening, so we went with it.<br />
<br />
Eloise was Mary, post birth, in the stable. Lily was pregnant Mary, on the journey to Bethlehem. Sam was a stragler. Here's how their story went. <br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Both Mary's prepared for the journey, pictures before leaving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8olGLO1wY_IUeCx8Nt6GkhSJ3B_bryjxXWfI9_H1B3l9ays027GjEo5RsS-3X5NCk5YGbe5CKRE-W0cVC30F9vQmUVw2zicpaPob5pKLUWOZ1wuf5Z3rPbSFCAhpaQGaRSiB-NkA0e0/s1600/DSCN2140.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8olGLO1wY_IUeCx8Nt6GkhSJ3B_bryjxXWfI9_H1B3l9ays027GjEo5RsS-3X5NCk5YGbe5CKRE-W0cVC30F9vQmUVw2zicpaPob5pKLUWOZ1wuf5Z3rPbSFCAhpaQGaRSiB-NkA0e0/s400/DSCN2140.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They managed to lay down and get some rest before leaving.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMkudDOCp8-EZGAMLotT-f8JOyGem4FctmI5Ea4LQjLELpy-cjPZyJLwNp9yPQW1oigjeE8b0V3vXXMsBROv6AwhbfaCeR8EevabddEZ4TXIzhLP5Yyq5GlnNJ5IpuajXe5aG1pLf-fs/s1600/DSCN2141.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFMkudDOCp8-EZGAMLotT-f8JOyGem4FctmI5Ea4LQjLELpy-cjPZyJLwNp9yPQW1oigjeE8b0V3vXXMsBROv6AwhbfaCeR8EevabddEZ4TXIzhLP5Yyq5GlnNJ5IpuajXe5aG1pLf-fs/s320/DSCN2141.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then they began the journey to Bethlehem,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFeEMJz2mj5oENIjjHDisHcwHN99VCuPq2NETUVb8Zx0kB01Ix-2as32hgS_vfKXPFYzDNv6X6Fu-Ii-LZCb9mG3HUR1vCgmMkZq2QSicTyEtg9qv-m45BNExx8OKZdUkfifGTr3UpAQ/s1600/DSCN2146.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCFeEMJz2mj5oENIjjHDisHcwHN99VCuPq2NETUVb8Zx0kB01Ix-2as32hgS_vfKXPFYzDNv6X6Fu-Ii-LZCb9mG3HUR1vCgmMkZq2QSicTyEtg9qv-m45BNExx8OKZdUkfifGTr3UpAQ/s320/DSCN2146.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> on the path Lily created with all the pillows and blankets.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUrdn6YUx5fLCdYpLi9NFb42fRte3_kLiElVM5V8mL5T0qLLHNADYWuLvKpotannoM6FXNxFmDGBIvY-cZmSCyVNYtC6ndUz-wgMGBYdHrXOG0lqUqrPIvc1lQOpdS1VsISX_AnxVsI/s1600/DSCN2136.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsXUrdn6YUx5fLCdYpLi9NFb42fRte3_kLiElVM5V8mL5T0qLLHNADYWuLvKpotannoM6FXNxFmDGBIvY-cZmSCyVNYtC6ndUz-wgMGBYdHrXOG0lqUqrPIvc1lQOpdS1VsISX_AnxVsI/s320/DSCN2136.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> They arrived at the stable, animals watching,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOchUW-6erAuaCqfzAHZML32Wz1SSja93VOGnUTyOe2H8hsVmYGSQIKoH4oJJJgS86yhZmKYXJRM2dQmJf0Y3kMAA3LTZhS1HAm1EFwVBpS59t8F90rgFHgwVaw9boTgfFr46gctXVpE/s1600/DSCN2138.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwOchUW-6erAuaCqfzAHZML32Wz1SSja93VOGnUTyOe2H8hsVmYGSQIKoH4oJJJgS86yhZmKYXJRM2dQmJf0Y3kMAA3LTZhS1HAm1EFwVBpS59t8F90rgFHgwVaw9boTgfFr46gctXVpE/s320/DSCN2138.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTJY0Xk9MhczYWRFnEHSCTboFRTQ7xcioMT81Ty_SlTfgdmW8e01s_AhPuzmOTDyfPDlHlKZ7lnADUoAsolIxLUKJC4NlHFcUiZJTEF3nCJvXUzsf6mr8wejByDw38dd3zqa0CypzRts/s1600/DSCN2148.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNTJY0Xk9MhczYWRFnEHSCTboFRTQ7xcioMT81Ty_SlTfgdmW8e01s_AhPuzmOTDyfPDlHlKZ7lnADUoAsolIxLUKJC4NlHFcUiZJTEF3nCJvXUzsf6mr8wejByDw38dd3zqa0CypzRts/s320/DSCN2148.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> where Mary gave birth to baby Jesus. (sorry for the blurry picture)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA68ixShVS7MP0JoEVhmHpjBtrn3JCP7QtnBKUmb9TopEUk22KyIkl3WoLTSfRogriSbRItoFMN9-fqTEwmZH7030zRbOd2XyritL88b-kMMhB6z2W8xfsCH_LnOCdmhGKU6-mD0o92KA/s1600/DSCN2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA68ixShVS7MP0JoEVhmHpjBtrn3JCP7QtnBKUmb9TopEUk22KyIkl3WoLTSfRogriSbRItoFMN9-fqTEwmZH7030zRbOd2XyritL88b-kMMhB6z2W8xfsCH_LnOCdmhGKU6-mD0o92KA/s320/DSCN2150.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Then she laid him in the manger.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmQWYDArtHIjVv9kfOI616NGbGCdSEB_f7Qj_tCZQp6so-hl72cE0EQnfqrUK-USbikzrd5UNNE52C_B_I1feuaUIzIIUscz5qk2lpubN0_864w1TnuXhRJgRDaavpcTTZgffD36fnSo/s1600/DSCN2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLmQWYDArtHIjVv9kfOI616NGbGCdSEB_f7Qj_tCZQp6so-hl72cE0EQnfqrUK-USbikzrd5UNNE52C_B_I1feuaUIzIIUscz5qk2lpubN0_864w1TnuXhRJgRDaavpcTTZgffD36fnSo/s320/DSCN2152.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And Sam just looked cute the entire time.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOei5fnQAbYEjx6JaxbDvuZdSh0uGFOclqzmLG_Fk79opZBdePtB9bR4aPIYyB3le3qY0d9uJ8Ouxe9uKnLWXBfarZ0827jI6kWOtjRVIY8ZM5Rvd1trzxMtdFeloK7CD6ZrCBkJiAbY/s1600/DSCN2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOei5fnQAbYEjx6JaxbDvuZdSh0uGFOclqzmLG_Fk79opZBdePtB9bR4aPIYyB3le3qY0d9uJ8Ouxe9uKnLWXBfarZ0827jI6kWOtjRVIY8ZM5Rvd1trzxMtdFeloK7CD6ZrCBkJiAbY/s320/DSCN2154.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> It was a really fun way for us to bring the story to a level where they could understand it more. Next year the girls told us that mom and dad would be Mary and Joseph and Sam will be baby Jesus. Eloise and Lily will be playing the part of the angels. katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-48846279938206920442010-12-06T21:51:00.000-08:002010-12-06T21:51:02.647-08:00catching up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHCnN-PjZHtWOaxvYMoL94T1XhMLNUDr10lJuUfFb4KGb_5A3-c0woS6KEbiJj_afgyYKnvcWwvc0WLCbInNhefcgc1knRC7ZMX0gdG6HKwWhISH2hwYH3Tj9xR2f3ZRcjKunIfJnoLE/s1600/DSCN2132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
it's been a while..yet again.<br />
<br />
*Eloise is 5. She napped 2 hours today. She's still up (it's 9:30) and I'm pretty sure she'll be up until midnight.<br />
<br />
*Do you know how hard it was to wake her from that nap? It took several trips into our room, me turning on the light and Sam jumping on top of her head. She wasn't too happy about the head jumping. But he did start calling her "EZ" for Weezy. These two are BFF's<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHCnN-PjZHtWOaxvYMoL94T1XhMLNUDr10lJuUfFb4KGb_5A3-c0woS6KEbiJj_afgyYKnvcWwvc0WLCbInNhefcgc1knRC7ZMX0gdG6HKwWhISH2hwYH3Tj9xR2f3ZRcjKunIfJnoLE/s1600/DSCN2132.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghHCnN-PjZHtWOaxvYMoL94T1XhMLNUDr10lJuUfFb4KGb_5A3-c0woS6KEbiJj_afgyYKnvcWwvc0WLCbInNhefcgc1knRC7ZMX0gdG6HKwWhISH2hwYH3Tj9xR2f3ZRcjKunIfJnoLE/s400/DSCN2132.JPG" width="300" /></a> <br />
<br />
*Sam is starting to talk more. It's weird to have a non-verbal kid following to VERY verbal daughters. There is alot more whining and tantrum throwing. I guess that's what you have to do when you don't have any words to use.<br />
<br />
*We cut Sam's hair for the first time last night. I pinned him in my lap, Dave cut and the girls tried to crowd around in our tiny bathroom. It was like two people trying to wrangle a slippery pig, crying and squealing included. I should have put a lollipop in his mouth. Oh well, no he no longer has a baby mullet.<br />
<br />
*Eloise needs to get her hair cut too but can't decide between short or long.<br />
<br />
*Eloise has preferences...who knew?! She will only wear skirts with tights (the ones with feet, not he cute ones with leggings) and has an hour long dialogue with me about what type of coat to wear. It was incredibly frustrating to deal with at first. She has so many cute pants and really, if it's cold out, wear a coat. But, I realized that she has preferences. She's becoming her own person and wants to have an opinion about what she wears. It's going to happen sooner or later, so why not make it an enjoyable process for the both of us instead of a battle. We'll take a trip to a cute store, (my choosing, of course) and let her pick out some cute skirts and tights we both love. Problem solved.<br />
<br />
*I took Lily and Eloise seperately to buy gifts for each other. They each had $5 to spend and it had to be something the other person liked. Eloise had so much finding something for Lily and Lily had so much fun finding things for herself. We had to do some prep work helping Lily learn how to keep a secret. So far, so good. <br />
<br />
*As for the gifts, Eloise picked out a small doggie for Lily and Lily picked out a pretty bracelet for Eloise. Cute!<br />
<br />
*We made Christmas cookies the other day. All my sprinkles are gone. But what's a sugar cookie without a lb of colored sugar on top? <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b2GMh_XBHXVuPcGQhyphenhyphenKnSU3t2mp2RirECXOpVbgZohZLGtLz8dTL86EOQ3IOeQ4yeBmMgNylqqC4yZJBo84PuIgY53QaSpf7xjUk6M7tOcgD7KMWNs_LNN87ji48ATAGflmEXYiALaw/s1600/DSCN2134.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0b2GMh_XBHXVuPcGQhyphenhyphenKnSU3t2mp2RirECXOpVbgZohZLGtLz8dTL86EOQ3IOeQ4yeBmMgNylqqC4yZJBo84PuIgY53QaSpf7xjUk6M7tOcgD7KMWNs_LNN87ji48ATAGflmEXYiALaw/s400/DSCN2134.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-31246276882509167272010-11-23T21:53:00.000-08:002010-11-23T21:53:07.755-08:00linksI haven't linked for a while so I thought I would share some of my favorites.<br />
<br />
*This <a href="http://www.ourbestbites.com/2008/09/thai-peanut-noodles.html">thai peanut noodles</a> is delicious. I'm loving this so much that I just might have it every night. I've made it with both tofu and chicken - of course everyone else in the family prefers chicken. Really, what's so bad about tofu?<br />
<br />
*I'm passionate about our culture of extreme parenting and how it affects mother's and their relationships with other mother's and their children. I absolutely loved <a href="http://www.slate.com/id/2275596">this article on engineering perfect children</a>. <br />
<blockquote><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...You know the child I am talking about: precious, wide-eyed, over-cared-for, fussy, in a beautiful sweater, or a carefully hipsterish T-shirt. Have we done him a favor by protecting him from everything, from dirt and dust and violence and sugar and boredom and egg whites and mean children who steal his plastic dinosaurs, from, in short, the everyday banging-up of the universe? The wooden toys that tastefully surround him, the all-sacrificing, well-meaning parents, with a library of books on how to make him turn out correctly— is all of it actually harming or denaturing him? ...</i></span></blockquote><br />
*Thanks to <a href="http://moonwithaview.blogspot.com/">Cutzi</a>, I made these <a href="http://www.goodlifeeats.com/2010/09/pumpkin-cinnamon-rolls.html">Pumpkin Cinnamon rolls</a>. I made them in my bread machine using the dough setting. Dave actually said they were one of the best he'd ever had. I saw <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/10/i-need-your-pumpkin-pie.html">this</a> list of pumpkin recipes and I just couldn't help sampling a <a href="http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/11/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies.html">few</a>.<br />
<br />
*And here's a <a href="http://peekaboostudios.com/thanks_activity_sheet.pdf">Thanksgiving printable</a> we think is pretty cute.<br />
<br />
Have a great Thanksgiving! We have much to be thankful for.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-5473332867189670162010-11-18T13:21:00.000-08:002010-11-18T13:34:26.125-08:00Super great cookies.Dairy and my digestive system don't get along all that well. (bet you wanted to hear that, huh?) So, I've been trying to make some changes. We currently drink lactose-free milk which helps all of us (and yes, all you raw milk drinkers, I've heard it helps. I'll buy into it someday.) But I'm starting to notice some other dairy foods make me free pretty awful. So begins the elimination of dairy journey. Super fun, huh?<br />
<br />
I found this blog, <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/">Oh She Glows</a>. Most of her recipes are vegan and at first, sound a bit strange. But, I wanted to try a few a see what they were like.<br />
<br />
First, I tried the <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/08/06/pumpkin-pie-banana-chunk-oatmeal-cookies/">Pumpkin Pie Banana chunk oatmeal cookies</a>. So good! Everyone devoured these. They are like a breakfast cookie.<br />
Note: don't put them in a ziploc bag. They will get really soft. The counter makes them a great consistency.<br />
<br />
Here's my modified recipe: (I omitted the banana, I didn't have any on hand)<br />
<br />
1 Flax ‘egg’ (2 tsp. ground flaxseed + 2 tablespoons water) <br />
1 cup regular oats <br />
1 cup Barley flour (or whole wheat flour)<br />
1/2 teaspoon baking soda <br />
1/2 teaspoon baking powder <br />
1/2 teaspoon salt <br />
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice<br />
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips<br />
1 tsp pure vanilla extract<br />
1/2 cup pure maple syrup (<a href="http://www.frugallivingnw.com/online-deals/amazon-great-deal-on-organic-grade-b-maple-syrup/">just got a sweet deal on Amazon</a>)<br />
3/4 cup canned pumpkin <br />
<br />
<b>Directions</b>: Preheat the oven to 375F. Mix flax egg in a small bowl and set aside. Mix dry ingredients in a medium sized bowl and set aside. Mix wet ingredients in a small to medium sized bowl and then add flax egg. Stir. Pour wet mixture into dry ingredients. Stir well and shape cookies onto a pan. Makes 12 large cookies. Cook for 13 minutes at 375F.<br />
<br />
Then I tried the <a href="http://ohsheglows.com/2010/09/27/pumpkin-pie-monster-and-over-baked-apples/">Pumpkin Pie Monster smoothie</a>. The almond milk is taking some adjustment and the kids definitely didn't like it and Dave would even look at it b/c his face once got shoved into a pumpkin pie and it makes him dry heave now. But I managed to get it down.<br />
<br />
Some have mentioned using tablets to help ease the dairy intolerance, but I'd rather just adjust my eating so that I don't have to take a tablet before every meal that includes a dairy product. I'm eating more vegetables and fruit as a result which is a great thing for a former vegetable hater. <br />
<br />
I've really enjoyed following Oh She Glows. I love that she has worked through her negative relationship with food and has arrived loving to cook and work out. Something I'm aspiring too.<br />
<br />
*And just to tack<a href="http://www.karipatterson.com/?p=1209"> this </a>on because I just read it, we're totally doing the "day" thing (you have to read it). And I'm going to be fun!!!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-4421942742060999662010-11-11T21:07:00.000-08:002010-11-11T21:07:07.193-08:00Favorite recipeI've found a great recipe that works well for all family members (except Sam, he doesn't eat anything except carbs). It's really easy and delicious.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMptCcnwtdPsbd4Xd9W3t6gZDEygLw8_whK032O3mH9SEHp72yATtCDt46ECaW23SZFfK5-ofS1lo4n6brLtcnWluNyAJZkSaHj3HU6nq4___tGoeTlsmhtM0NpPhcq-j7b5knbm9oFL8/s1600/pita+tacos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMptCcnwtdPsbd4Xd9W3t6gZDEygLw8_whK032O3mH9SEHp72yATtCDt46ECaW23SZFfK5-ofS1lo4n6brLtcnWluNyAJZkSaHj3HU6nq4___tGoeTlsmhtM0NpPhcq-j7b5knbm9oFL8/s200/pita+tacos.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Hearty Pita Tacos</b><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i><a href="http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Hearty-Pita-Tacos">From Taste of Home - Healthy Cooking </a></i></span><br />
<br />
<ul class="ingredients"><li class="ingredient">1 pound lean ground beef (I use ground turkey) </li>
<li class="ingredient">1 small sweet red pepper, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">2 green onions, chopped</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 can (16 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained</li>
<li class="ingredient">3/4 cup frozen corn</li>
<li class="ingredient">2/3 cup taco sauce</li>
<li class="ingredient">1 can (2-1/4 ounces) sliced ripe olives, drained</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/2 teaspoon garlic salt</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon onion powder</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon dried oregano</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon paprika</li>
<li class="ingredient">1/4 teaspoon pepper</li>
<li class="ingredient">6 whole wheat pita pocket halves</li>
<li class="ingredient">6 tablespoons shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese</li>
<li class="ingredient">Sliced avocado and additional taco sauce, optional</li>
</ul><h2 style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: small;">Directions:</span></h2><ul class="directions"><li>In a large skillet, cook the beef, red pepper and onions over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Stir in the beans, corn, taco sauce, olives and seasonings; heat through. </li>
<li> Spoon 3/4 cup beef mixture into each pita half. Sprinkle with cheese. Serve with avocado and additional taco sauce if desired.<b> Yield: </b>6 servings.</li>
</ul><b>My notes: </b><br />
I usually make my own <a href="http://kitchensimplicity.com/homemade-pita-pockets/">pitas</a>, but store bought are good also. I also add shredded lettuce. If I don't have time to get all the spices out I just use 2 tsp of taco seasoning.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-13429886149984696012010-11-10T14:17:00.000-08:002010-11-10T14:17:10.433-08:00weighty issue (pardon the pun!)So many thoughts milling about my brain so I'm just going to throw them out and hope they make sense.<br />
<br />
I have a poor self-image. (how's that for starting out?!) If someone were to compliment me on my skills (organized, efficient), I would feel over the moon. That would encourage me the most. If someone were to compliment me on my looks, it makes me want to crawl out of my skin. Why? Not sure, but it seems like a good time to tackle it b/c I've got two tiny girls that are growing up fast and their watching what I'm doing. And how I respond to myself is how they will respond.<br />
<br />
So how did I realize this? We had pictures done in the park the other day. It was a perfect afternoon. The not so perfect part - the location. The day was beautiful. But we were in a park. Rule #1: NEVER, and I mean NEVER, have your children's pictures taken in a park with a playground. They are distracted and unable to focus on the task at hand. They're 1,3 & 5. Makes total sense. I wouldn't be able to focus either if my mother never took me to parks.<br />
No one would look at the camera, Sam was incredibly cranky and I was getting more and more anxious by the minute. The flow was not happening. Finally, the day was finished. Here's just one example of this day was NOT flowing (gotta love that scream)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9q4d1NvNVf_PGNe4SxbknGBbsHuvz258BeUG-TKjk_ufaxDoKdQ6lZP8Re_rT5XpZCu7FA6TRsMSqPzw6mXnzCwj1UwIMhoYFrQ-a9yG5XAFfCvGQhdJh7JcscvV2z7QAFK7LxKCgU/s1600/sam+screaming.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUa9q4d1NvNVf_PGNe4SxbknGBbsHuvz258BeUG-TKjk_ufaxDoKdQ6lZP8Re_rT5XpZCu7FA6TRsMSqPzw6mXnzCwj1UwIMhoYFrQ-a9yG5XAFfCvGQhdJh7JcscvV2z7QAFK7LxKCgU/s400/sam+screaming.jpg" width="400" /></a></div> On the way home Eloise threw up in the car from being carsick, Sam gagging himself and Lily watched on in horror as I'm frantically begging her not to have a sympathy throw up. Once we got home, my first response was to eat myself silly from all the anxiety. Or bake. I resisted both but it brought up a good point that this is not the way to deal with frustration and it's not the way I want my children to deal with it. (side note: Lily threw up in her bed the next morning at 4 a.m. from coughing so much....what are the chances?)<br />
<br />
The above story to say, when i got the pictures back, I was in a few. I could barely look at them. I was tearing myself apart. Granted, the outfit I chose was not the best, and I'm okay admitting that, but it was not the outfit, it was me. Immediately I went to my overall look and weight. <i>Well, I need to lose 30 lbs. That's what would make this all okay.</i><br />
<br />
Nope, it's not what would make it all okay. Because when the lbs are gone, I still haven't deal with the heart issue of it all. <i>Do I love the person God created me to be?</i> When He created me He took delight in what He made? If my child comes to me and says that they don't like their hands, my first response would be, <i>No. They are perfect. They were created for you and they are exactly as intended. Beautiful.</i> So, I'm imagining, as I look at myself and think all these negative thoughts, my Father in Heaven is thinking the same thing. <i> No. I made those perfect. I designed them just the way I wanted them to be. Take delight in my creation.</i><br />
<br />
So I'm trying to connect it all together. I haven't come to any conclusions besides what habits I want to break for my children.<br />
First, stop seeing other people in terms of weight. Weight does not determine their success or failure in the world. And it certainly does not determine their worth.<br />
Second, start seeing myself through the eyes of my Creator. I know how to eat well. I know when imbalance is off. The key isn't working myself into a place where I feel like I'm pleased. It's being pleased with the design I started out with and learning how to eat the great foods that God created for us to eat (I could start learning to like raw carrots. It might be tough, but I'll try).<br />
Third, to make sure my girls NEVER see me demean myself because of weight. I DO NOT want them to demean themselves because of it. Therefore, i have to model it. <br />
<br />
This is such a big concept for me to get, but I'm committed to the refinement. I'm committed to taking this issue of weight and kicking it to the curb. And please remember, I'm in no way saying that losing weight is not a good thing. It's great. I'm so proud of the accomplishment when people lose weight. I'm proud of their commitment, dedication, follow-thru, and decision to work hard to get their bodies to a place where it's flowing in a healthy way. I commend all of that. I just want to be satisfied with who I am before that process starts. To know that my Father is pleased with His creation regardless of the 20lbs I'm still carrying around.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-82872209306463414662010-11-04T22:05:00.000-07:002010-11-04T22:05:10.566-07:00Two of my favorite pictures<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm-FP6x5m6rdbXqzcC4m0OhPcebfgGjGZsKfH7oRLaqAZV2Ggl5siAaO3EV_z6ivhI3q1E8I3vVMpdL7Az58jtzpisHor9HtSvZbqGBZtl-DE6f5MWgT9isec0lNTZe9TSEb97EMvjg8/s1600/IMG_5646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHm-FP6x5m6rdbXqzcC4m0OhPcebfgGjGZsKfH7oRLaqAZV2Ggl5siAaO3EV_z6ivhI3q1E8I3vVMpdL7Az58jtzpisHor9HtSvZbqGBZtl-DE6f5MWgT9isec0lNTZe9TSEb97EMvjg8/s400/IMG_5646.JPG" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Everyone is actually looking at the camera. It's a miracle! </div><div style="text-align: center;">Sometimes I look at pictures like this in complete disbelief. THAT is my family. Crazy! Am I really old enough to be responsible for all those people?</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgkxXaaytjgKaHtsC4DHwL2Jr6fMpgEUe3HzrpgunP3lSUnYUlb0IjuxLxFYqCWrh5YUdZSAWE7lvUYeN3qpigxx_JXFKSRtbzTiHqAxiz68Jgi5L4GgcJN0ZXezbaglPm0A4DDFfljA/s1600/IMG_5682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilgkxXaaytjgKaHtsC4DHwL2Jr6fMpgEUe3HzrpgunP3lSUnYUlb0IjuxLxFYqCWrh5YUdZSAWE7lvUYeN3qpigxx_JXFKSRtbzTiHqAxiz68Jgi5L4GgcJN0ZXezbaglPm0A4DDFfljA/s400/IMG_5682.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">How cute are they? </div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-57297897819892991802010-10-31T21:38:00.000-07:002010-10-31T21:38:04.414-07:00halloweenHalloween was great fun this year. We love our friends and we love trick-or-treating in our neighborhood. Near the end, Lily was saying her candy jack-o-lantern was too heavy and she needed to go home. We gotta LOT of candy.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Our pumpkins, the princess and the pirate</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh1kq0L8oe0Xo0iQczZOxZlbw5W_V2GAB3qCKHnjOtXyXYjLb2pPWCWIhWL4IaQab1HCONABNnrFLKrQ-eVt9CZNnZLd_0LTdV8nz7Na-qJqhuDRlTR7KTgEJtw_1rTB49YGBZVGgS5k/s1600/DSCN2048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsh1kq0L8oe0Xo0iQczZOxZlbw5W_V2GAB3qCKHnjOtXyXYjLb2pPWCWIhWL4IaQab1HCONABNnrFLKrQ-eVt9CZNnZLd_0LTdV8nz7Na-qJqhuDRlTR7KTgEJtw_1rTB49YGBZVGgS5k/s320/DSCN2048.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our little animals, kitty, poodle, and the chicken </div><div style="text-align: center;">(yes, I know, he looks like a girl)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x9qyp31zqi1-qATsi7ZxjUFo65hABW6-2gad_ABPhLG7rGwWbxlAahz2vdbxBv80OpUitP-mUNqlDy0XJlSehcVBDaE2Q_DgEYxwWLfqQ3m1yVSVqS980ID_HzNxg2z7kfyNle3XJ04/s1600/DSCN2061.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-x9qyp31zqi1-qATsi7ZxjUFo65hABW6-2gad_ABPhLG7rGwWbxlAahz2vdbxBv80OpUitP-mUNqlDy0XJlSehcVBDaE2Q_DgEYxwWLfqQ3m1yVSVqS980ID_HzNxg2z7kfyNle3XJ04/s400/DSCN2061.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Our dinner group kids</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAdMPOE6RiOBZrB7dRP5j_czLvjC5iGrw1_JeTs1aHRgXx59fdkVwdplNllGfBu2wUYfPbmta9sBmcH8ZCQ40ZbgdFq9CPdnQ0S9d-qwRCW5qDgK_F5WO1JS4XESrvKYt86sk-6Q2xEs/s1600/DSCN2068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnAdMPOE6RiOBZrB7dRP5j_czLvjC5iGrw1_JeTs1aHRgXx59fdkVwdplNllGfBu2wUYfPbmta9sBmcH8ZCQ40ZbgdFq9CPdnQ0S9d-qwRCW5qDgK_F5WO1JS4XESrvKYt86sk-6Q2xEs/s320/DSCN2068.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> My sweet girls</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78XuyjURMrgzg7DoOGP55GSqvfwq_Ewit5Mxy-7bDibhG397Z3sgfvQYjtwlqC3e8UFnrs-VUTMuxswgYEr1Sy9_mSj5QO-7JmXvZX5_IhEUdc7tzUf8jG9VZeLaAK5TjKFkTGVeHsTQ/s1600/DSCN2078.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78XuyjURMrgzg7DoOGP55GSqvfwq_Ewit5Mxy-7bDibhG397Z3sgfvQYjtwlqC3e8UFnrs-VUTMuxswgYEr1Sy9_mSj5QO-7JmXvZX5_IhEUdc7tzUf8jG9VZeLaAK5TjKFkTGVeHsTQ/s400/DSCN2078.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the little boys. They are 10 weeks apart (Sam is older) and Matthew is 10 lbs heavier (maybe)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV3p1a70KrbG8yDRa75r-Zd88Ercou9s3cpmkbMO2yv1rIFsZgGP62VlTfxsXnVuBgnZWJchSI0zC5Jkyuc2FpeuZo7QcRykWhxqUoKFNQcbLx8WLc5STgt6hAubIDkofTFvNJN16VL8/s1600/DSCN2082.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBV3p1a70KrbG8yDRa75r-Zd88Ercou9s3cpmkbMO2yv1rIFsZgGP62VlTfxsXnVuBgnZWJchSI0zC5Jkyuc2FpeuZo7QcRykWhxqUoKFNQcbLx8WLc5STgt6hAubIDkofTFvNJN16VL8/s320/DSCN2082.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">They started talking to each other after we'd left them there for a few seconds. </div><div style="text-align: center;">I wonder what they're thinking.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVxNUMhLnX82aw1OLUGCmsNragN98NagSfgbnHYJ0IcAiEcOROFymI3MmRSzqDqFXjgtI3QPSyd_voqeoUie7fjdMmXNcuJWRA9ESaQK2nN0yPonoFQ9lI1e2rxjLGYYVN-SQMbVqTrs/s1600/DSCN2086.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVxNUMhLnX82aw1OLUGCmsNragN98NagSfgbnHYJ0IcAiEcOROFymI3MmRSzqDqFXjgtI3QPSyd_voqeoUie7fjdMmXNcuJWRA9ESaQK2nN0yPonoFQ9lI1e2rxjLGYYVN-SQMbVqTrs/s320/DSCN2086.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the girls of the group</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDv37wOKhT4zwi-bltBH6rUBMXDapOoVO2CGNf6cq3IoFkOGmVhSOkp4gouUx57T3LNYpCCcHGrc1qijr8mt6ciBA2FivxhzsJ9rBx5tlJn27RC4a7wXkjD0u5wcWbJUUK0ZU4vdOsz4/s1600/DSCN2088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZDv37wOKhT4zwi-bltBH6rUBMXDapOoVO2CGNf6cq3IoFkOGmVhSOkp4gouUx57T3LNYpCCcHGrc1qijr8mt6ciBA2FivxhzsJ9rBx5tlJn27RC4a7wXkjD0u5wcWbJUUK0ZU4vdOsz4/s320/DSCN2088.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> And our little girl chicken</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLgMOd4nSHd8HnDCi7Zz3KP0H9CC4b0qzMrCMThrm2UH7yV3pvD4AK-Vnb0QKELGbe8x7OMEvocXhLj6a33CFUo5Lqw12Deus8R7NMViCMjOzEyU6r_Trb_s5BPYoZVJXZvlieWGelEM/s1600/DSCN2091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGLgMOd4nSHd8HnDCi7Zz3KP0H9CC4b0qzMrCMThrm2UH7yV3pvD4AK-Vnb0QKELGbe8x7OMEvocXhLj6a33CFUo5Lqw12Deus8R7NMViCMjOzEyU6r_Trb_s5BPYoZVJXZvlieWGelEM/s320/DSCN2091.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> All the candy two little girls could ever want and Charlie Brown's: The Great Pumpkin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ2F12uLgkpC3l5WyGdGTrNVew0LnW4wbD_SX7nQVjlLTmCbMGo6sDTdDIKbW_My9s2BUbWPMolMQEgK_B181iwRNEJbBWlLcuPH4RmJaBKY9tcvMFDB9GaxeOvCPWxQBsjZCzuLtF4w/s1600/DSCN2094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxZ2F12uLgkpC3l5WyGdGTrNVew0LnW4wbD_SX7nQVjlLTmCbMGo6sDTdDIKbW_My9s2BUbWPMolMQEgK_B181iwRNEJbBWlLcuPH4RmJaBKY9tcvMFDB9GaxeOvCPWxQBsjZCzuLtF4w/s320/DSCN2094.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Such a fun Halloween</div>katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-38386703683931176372010-10-27T13:15:00.000-07:002010-10-27T13:15:52.285-07:00stomach fluI loathe the stomach flu. Similar to the way I feel about getting a cavity filled, in fact I might actually take the cavity. I know I would, no contest.<br />
<br />
I know some have an easy time with the stomach flu. One kid pukes once. Lucky people. <br />
<br />
This got a few of us talking about which you would rather have: Stomach flu or head cold? <br />
<br />
See in our house, kids go big on the stomach flu. They throw up in car seats (I've lost count of how many times I've taken a car seat apart to wash it), they throw up in their beds, and they throw up on their mom. Sam had it last Sunday (as in 10 days ago!) and it was so sad. Little guy threw up 6 times. 6 people! All in his bed. <br />
<br />
My mother has a strong affection for bleach. I don't. But when it comes to the stomach flu, I love the smell of bleach. I quickly went to work on cleaning the entire house, washing hands 1000 times and doing laundry. 3 days later, no one had it. We were safe.<br />
<br />
Yesterday, Eloise got it. This time she threw up on the sidewalk on the way into church. Super great, huh. She was fine all day and then threw up last night, thankfully in the blankets on the couch. Bust out the bleach and laundry, again. <br />
<br />
All is well and no one else has it. Life can resume in a day or so. <br />
<br />
So after all this, give me a head cold any day. No bleach, laundry, tearing apart car seats and making beds 3 times in a matter of an hour. And you always know when a head cold is coming on, the stomach flu, it's rather sneaky. <br />
<br />
What would you rather have? Stomach flu or head cold (you can't say neither b/c that's a given)katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-12616654508898143132010-10-20T15:28:00.000-07:002010-10-20T15:28:09.007-07:00what's happening?*Sam is walking all over and into everything. He even figured out how to climb up the chairs and onto the dining room table. I found him up there pushing buttons on my laptop. He didn't open anything sketchy.<br />
<br />
*I bought Sam's first pair of shoes at Target the other day. We have the fancy kinds from Nordstrom from friends but they don't have velcro and this mom-of-3-kids-who-don't-know-how-to-tie-their-shoes, isn't about to tie a squirmy infants shoes.<br />
<br />
*I had no idea where the infant boys shoes section was at Target. I actually thought for a moment that they might not have one. Welcome to the world of little boys.<br />
<br />
*We decided that we would send Eloise to public school next year. The choice was right and it is what we believe the Lord has called us to do. I can't say that this will be the choice for the next two kids, but I can say that we're listening intently for the direction<br />
<br />
*She's doing great this year. We're working on letters, numbers, and anything else she wants to learn. I think we're heading towards reading. I just need to get a few books that might help in that process.<br />
<br />
*Sam is in LOVE with his big sister. He walks around the house giving her hugs all day long. Lily and Sam haven't quite formed that bond yet, but it's probably b/c she's so rough all the time.<br />
<br />
*Dave arranged a girls night out at <a href="http://pokpokpdx.com/">Pok Pok</a> for my birthday. If you're ever in Portland, be sure and hit this place up. Very different, very authentic Thai but OH SO GOOD!<br />
<br />
*I'm currently stuck in the rotation of 3 lunches for my kids: Gardenburgers, grilled cheese, and PB & J. BORING!<br />
<br />
*Sam doesn't eat anything. Literally. He loves carbs, pretty much like Eloise and myself. But I've managed to work up a sweet smoothie that he'll drink down with no problem. At his age, with Eloise I thought I did something wrong, with Lily I thought I was doing things right (she was eating everything), with Sam I realize that they are born that way. He'll get his veggies in soon enough.<br />
<br />
*I cut the peels off my kids apples. There. I said it. I have no shame. My mother did it for me and I do it for my kids. I know, all the nutrients are in the peels, but people, when you have texture issues, it doesn't matter. They're still eating the apple. And Lily will eat an apple whole with the peels just not when I cut them into slices. There are worse things I could be doing.<br />
<br />
*I made this <a href="http://kitchensimplicity.com/quick-cheesy-chicken-pot-pie/">chicken pot pie</a> last night, very good.<br />
<br />
happy Fall!katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1350388806581742644.post-8851748468603649702010-10-11T21:32:00.000-07:002010-10-11T21:32:49.472-07:00pumpkin muffinsBest pumpkin muffins ever!!!<br />
<br />
Seriously! <br />
<br />
Here's a new recipe for<a href="http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2009/10/13/recipe-conection-one-bowl-pumpkin-breadmuffins/"> pumpkin muffins</a>. She has the original version but I bypassed it and went straight to the ones with honey. I purposely didn't try the original ones b/c I thought they would be better and i'd never be able to try the honey ones. BUT....I was pleasantly surprised and I LOVE the ones with honey. I did reduce my cooking time to 20 minutes and that seemed to work perfect. They are moist and oh so delicious. We added a few handfuls of mini-chocolate chips to ours. Lily said we needed to add 111 handfuls. We only added 4. <br />
<br />
And I just discovered a sweet recipe for some cheesy <a href="http://kitchensimplicity.com/quick-cheesy-chicken-pot-pie/">chicken pot pie</a>. I'll be making it this week as I have a ridiculous amount of already cooked chicken in my freezer. (BTW - you should really be following <a href="http://kitchensimplicity.com/">Kitchen Simplicity</a>, her <a href="http://kitchensimplicity.com/category/more/colorful-mondays/">colorful Monday's</a> are gorgeous)<br />
<br />
And while I'm on the food topic, I've got to remind myself here that working out really does make me feel tons better. I've slowed down a bit over the last two weeks because of traveling on the weekends, but I've got to get back into the groove. I'm determined not to overeat amidst this holiday tri-fecta we're about to venture through.katehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07747886516568113106noreply@blogger.com3